Battle of Jiliște(1574)
Background
The intrigues of Alexandru II of Muntenia at Poartă, which aimed at installing his brother, Petru Șchiopul, on the throne of Moldavia, supported by generous gifts (100,000 gold coins) to the grand vizier Mehmed Sokollu, worsened relations between Sultan Selim II and Ioan-Vodă of Moldavia. The Sultan ordered the Prince of Transylvania and the Pasha of Buda to prevent the Moldavian prince from fleeing to their territories and prepared even to forcibly change the rule in Moldavia. Grigore Ureche recorded: Thus, Ioan-Vodă succeeded in assembling a "large army composed of local inhabitants and border residents coming from all directions" (the report of the Austrian envoy at Poartă): 20,000 infantrymen (composed of peasants and landowners), 10,000 cavalrymen (the banners of courtiers and boyars), to which were added the 1,200 Cossacks, led by the hetman Sverceavski.
Campaign: Ion Vodă's Anti-Ottoman Campaign 1574
Forces Engaged
The Battle
John the Terrible and his Cossack mercenaries repelled an Ottoman-backed Wallachian incursion, temporarily ousting Alexander II Mircea from the Wallachian throne and disrupting Ottoman control over the principalities.
The Battle of Jiliște took place between the army of the ruler of Moldavia, Ioan Vodă the Terrible, and the army of the pretender to the throne, Petru Șchiopul, supported by his brother, the Wallachian prince Alexandru II Mircea, as well as the Ottoman troops.
Casualties & Outcome
Moldavia & Zaporozhian Cossacks achieved victory over Wallachia & Ottoman Auxiliaries.
The two brothers barely escaped, the mountain lord withdrew to Târgul de Floci, while Petru went to Brăila, awaiting reinforcements. A military force, led by vornic Dumbravă, advanced toward Bucharest, where they installed the son of Pătrașcu the Good, Vintilă Vodă. Ioan Vodă besieged Brăila, capturing the city but without the fortress. An Ottoman army, sent to restore order, was destroyed in Bugeac, the city of Tighina was burned, and another Ottoman-Tatar force was crushed east of the Nistru. This boldness of the Mazilit prince exceeded all limits, prompting the Ottoman leaders in the region to launch a punitive expedition against him, which ended tragically for the Prince of Moldavia in the Battle of Cahul.
Historical Record
Significance & Legacy
Showcased the effectiveness of Cossack mercenaries in Moldavian service; temporarily reversed Ottoman-sponsored succession in Wallachia. Precursor to the catastrophic Battle of Cahul two months later.
Frequently Asked Questions
- When was the Battle of Jiliște?
- The Battle of Jiliște took place in 1574. Apr 24, 1574.
- Who won the Battle of Jiliște?
- The Moldavia & Zaporozhian Cossacks were victorious against the Wallachia & Ottoman Auxiliaries.
- What was the significance of the Battle of Jiliște?
- Showcased the effectiveness of Cossack mercenaries in Moldavian service; temporarily reversed Ottoman-sponsored succession in Wallachia. Precursor to the catastrophic Battle of Cahul two months later.