Battle of Varna
1444 · Varna (on the Black Sea coast of present-day Bulgaria) · World · Medieval
The young King Władysław III was killed while leading his bodyguard in a charge against the sultan's headquarters; the crusaders were then routed, and Hunyadi broke out and retreated.
Belligerents
Ottoman Sultanate
- Commanders
- Murad II
- Strength
- About 40,000–60,000 (est.)
Crusaders (Hungary–Poland, etc.)
- Commanders
- Władysław III, John Hunyadi
- Strength
- About 20,000–30,000 (est.)
Background
After the Ottomans and Hungary signed a peace treaty in 1444, the papacy and the Western powers urged Hungary to break the treaty and go back to war. Murad II, who had just abdicated, was recalled to command the army and crossed the sea to meet the crusaders.
Course of the battle
- Crusaders advance eastThe crusaders advanced south along the Danube, pushing through Bulgaria toward the Black Sea coast.
- Sultan returns to relieveMurad II led his army across the Bosporus and intercepted the crusaders near Varna.
- King killed in battleWładysław III was killed charging the Janissary positions, and the crusader line collapsed.
Outcome at a glance
| Date | 1444 |
|---|---|
| Place | Varna (on the Black Sea coast of present-day Bulgaria) |
| Result | The young King Władysław III was killed while leading his bodyguard in a charge against the sultan's headquarters; the crusaders were then routed, and Hunyadi broke out and retreated. |
| Winner | Ottoman Sultanate |
| Casualties | The crusaders suffered heavy losses; there are no precise records of casualties on either side. |
| Territorial change | The Ottomans consolidated their rule over the Balkans, and Western Europe never again organized a large-scale crusade to save Constantinople. |
Impact
The Battle of Varna was the last large-scale European crusade against the Ottomans; nine years later Constantinople fell.
See the world in 1444 on the map →