Second Battle of Kosovo Polje(1448)
Approximate site. The pin marks a locally accepted site or a nearby anchor point, not a survey-grade position.
Kosovo Polje, ~5km NW of Pristina
Coordinate source: Wikidata + Wikipedia Second Battle of Kosovo
Background
Following the defeat at the Battle of Varna in 1444, John Hunyadi, regent of Hungary, assembled a new crusader army to attack the Ottoman Empire. He planned to march into the Balkans and unite with Skanderbeg's Albanian forces to defeat the Sultan.
Campaign: Second Kosovo Campaign 1448
Forces Engaged
The Battle
Hunyadi invaded Ottoman territory without waiting for allied support (Skanderbeg was blocked). Three-day battle on the Kosovo plain. Wallachian voivode Vladislav II defected during the battle (having disputed with Hunyadi), contributing to the defeat. Hunyadi captured by Đurađ Branković.
The Second Battle of Kosovo (Hungarian: második rigómezei csata, Turkish: İkinci Kosova Muharebesi) was a land battle between a Hungarian-led Crusader army and the Ottoman Empire at Kosovo field that took place from 17–20 October 1448. It was the culmination of a Hungarian offensive to avenge the defeat at the Battle of Varna four years earlier. In the three-day battle the Ottoman army under the command of Sultan Murad II defeated the Crusader army of regent John Hunyadi.
“A unit of Akinjis was dispatched to respond to the attack, which succeeded in ambushing and dispersing the Wallachians, taking many prisoners in the process.
Casualties & Outcome
Ottoman Empire achieved victory over Hungary / Wallachia.
The Christian Balkan states were unable to resist the Ottomans after this defeat, eventually falling one after the other under the control of the Ottoman Empire. Hunyadi was captured by Branković in retaliation for the damage perpetrated by the Hungarian army in Serbia. Hunyadi's release was negotiated against a ransom of 100,000 florins, the return of the domains that Hunyadi had revocated from Branković, and the engagement of Hunyadi's heir to Branković's daughter, other sources cite the restitution of the despot's estates in Hungary while leaving Hunyadi's elder son László at Smederevo as a hostage. For the remainder of his reign Hunyadi successfully defended the Kingdom of Hungary against Ottoman campaigns. As punishment for lending its support to Hunyadi, Murad attacked and submitted Wallachia in 1449, followed by Albania in 1450 where Skanderbeg continued to resist, breaking Murad's siege of the Castle of Krujë in 1451.
Historical Record
Significance & Legacy
Ended any realistic prospect of expelling Ottomans from the Balkans for a generation. Hunyadi's most decisive defeat.
Frequently Asked Questions
- When was the Second Battle of Kosovo Polje?
- The Second Battle of Kosovo Polje took place in 1448. Oct 17–19, 1448.
- What was the outcome of the Second Battle of Kosovo Polje?
- The Ottoman Empire were victorious against the Hungary / Wallachia.
- What was the significance of the Second Battle of Kosovo Polje?
- Ended any realistic prospect of expelling Ottomans from the Balkans for a generation. Hunyadi's most decisive defeat.