Battle on the Ice
1242 · Lake Peipus (modern Estonia–Russia border) · World · Medieval
Nevsky lured the Order's heavily armored formation onto the ice and enveloped it on both flanks; some knights drowned when the ice broke.
Belligerents
Novgorod Republic
- Commanders
- Alexander Nevsky
- Strength
- Rus' coalition
Teutonic Order (Livonian branch)
- Commanders
- Master Hermann
- Strength
- Order army
Background
Taking advantage of Rus's weakness after the Mongol invasion, the Livonian branch of the Teutonic Order invaded Pskov and Novgorod.
Course of the battle
- Luring the enemyNevsky feigned a retreat and lured the Order's formation onto the frozen lake.
- EncirclementThe Rus' army enveloped the Order's heavily armored formation on both flanks.
- CollapseThe Order's formation broke apart on the ice, and some knights fell through into the freezing water.
Outcome at a glance
| Date | 1242 |
|---|---|
| Place | Lake Peipus (on the present-day Estonia-Russia border) |
| Result | Nevsky lured the Order's heavily armored formation onto the ice and enveloped it on both flanks; some knights drowned when the ice broke. |
| Winner | Novgorod Republic |
| Casualties | The Order suffered fairly heavy losses, while Nevsky's side had relatively light casualties. |
| Territorial change | It halted the Teutonic Order's eastward expansion and fixed the long-term shape of Rus's northwestern border. |
Impact
It halted the Teutonic Order's eastward expansion and fixed the long-term shape of Rus's northwestern border.
See the world in 1242 on the map →