Poles of the 17th century assumed that "szlachta" came from the German "schlachten" ("to slaughter" or "to butcher"); also suggestive is the German "Schlacht" ("battle"). Early Polish historians thought the term may have derived from the name of the legendary proto-Polish chief, Lech, mentioned in Polish and Czech writings. COUNT 5
QSN1 What did the poles of the 17th century think the term szlachta came from? ANS1 German "schlachten" QSN2 What does schlachtan mean in german? ANS2 ("to slaughter" or "to butcher") QSN3 What German word is also suggestive deriving from  szlachta? ANS3 Schlacht QSN4 What does schlacht mean? ANS4 battle QSN5 The polish believed szlachta derived from the name of who? ANS5 legendary proto-Polish chief, Lech