Battle of Nicopolis
1396 · Nicopolis, Bulgaria · World · Medieval
The French knights charged rashly into the depth of the Ottoman lines and were enveloped by the sipahis; the allied army was routed.
Belligerents
Ottoman Empire
- Commanders
- Bayezid I
- Strength
- Ottoman army, about 15,000
Crusader coalition
- Commanders
- Sigismund, John the Fearless
- Strength
- Multinational Crusaders, about 15,000
Background
As the Ottomans besieged Constantinople, Europe organized a crusade down the Danube to lift the siege and fought a decisive battle with Bayezid at Nicopolis.
Course of the battle
- The SiegeThe crusaders advanced along the Danube and besieged the fortress of Nicopolis.
- ChargeEager to win glory, the French knights charged the Ottoman position and became entangled in stakes and infantry.
- EnvelopmentBayezid's elite cavalry carried out a flank envelopment, and the allied army collapsed along the whole line.
Outcome at a glance
| Date | 1396 |
|---|---|
| Place | Nicopolis, Bulgaria |
| Result | The French knights charged rashly into the depth of the Ottoman lines and were enveloped by the sipahis; the allied army was routed. |
| Winner | Ottoman Empire |
| Casualties | Large numbers of crusaders were captured and executed, and Sigismund escaped by boat. |
| Territorial change | The Ottomans consolidated their rule in the Balkans, and hopes of aid for Byzantium came to nothing. |
Impact
The last large-scale crusade from Western Europe ended in disaster, and Ottoman expansion became unstoppable.
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