Second Battle of Kosovo Polje(1448)
Background
In 1444, the Hungarian king, Władysław III of Poland, in breach of a ten-year truce that existed with the Ottoman Empire following the Peace of Szeged, launched a new crusade. Meeting the Ottoman forces at the Battle of Varna, the crusading army was destroyed and the king was killed. Two years later in 1446, Sultan Murad II returned to the Balkans seeking revenge for the treaty breaking that preceded the battle. That year his army breached the Hexamilion wall and ravaged the Peloponnese after which, following the proclamation of a new crusade by Pope Nicholas V, Murad invaded Albania, conquering the fortress of Svetigrad. Meanwhile, four years after his defeat at Varna, John Hunyadi, the richest landowner in Hungary, had joined forces with Albania's forces in an alliance that also included Serbia and Bosnia. Resolved to defeat the Ottoman army, Hunyadi raised an army of 24,000 men, including 8,000 Wallachians, his Hungarian cavalry supplemented by German and Bohemian infantry mercenaries. Hunyadi's strategy was based on an expected revolt of the Balkan peoples, a surprise attack, and the destruction of the main force of the Ottomans in a single battle after linking up with his allies.
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.
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.
- Who won 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.