Battle of Șelimbăr(1599)
Background
Michael the Brave marched into Transylvania to fight against the Ottomans. The neighboring rulers Andrew Báthory in Transylvania and Ieremia Movilă in Moldavia were friendly towards Poland. In 1598, Michael signed a treaty of peace with the Ottomans, however both sides knew that the issue was far from settled. When Transylvania fell under the influence of Poland, which preserved friendly relations with the Ottomans, a hostile ring closed around Wallachia. Only the Habsburgs were prepared to ally themselves with Michael. The treaty, signed in Prague on 9 June 1598, made Wallachia a vassal state; in exchange, the emperor undertook to cover the cost of providing 5.000 mercenaries to the principality. The voivode wanted to secure a land link to his ally. With Emperor Rudolph's assent, he launched an attack on Transylvania. He informed the Székelys that he was attacking Transylvania on behalf of the Emperor Rudolf and, if they join him, their traditional freedoms will be restored. At this the Székelys joined the forces of Michael en masse so that Székelys comprised one third of his army of 36,000 soldiers. Michael entered Transylvania through Buzău Pass.
Campaign: Michael the Brave's Unification Campaign 1599
Forces Engaged
The Battle
Mass defections by the Székelys — who despised the Báthory family and were promised restored privileges by Michael — crippled the Transylvanian defense. Cardinal Báthory fled and was subsequently assassinated by Székely warriors after the battle.
The Battle of Șelimbăr, or Battle of Sellenberk, took place on 18 October 1599 between the Wallachian army of Michael the Brave and the Transylvanian-Hungarian army of Andrew Báthory. The battle was fought near the village of Șelimbăr close to Sibiu.
Casualties & Outcome
200–1,000 | 1,200–1,500
Wallachia (Michael the Brave) achieved victory over Principality of Transylvania.
Székelys bring the head of Cardinal Andrew Báthory to Michael the Brave (Theodor Aman) Michael's victory resulted in him taking over the administration of Transylvania on behalf of Emperor Rudolf. It has to be said, however, that the governments of Wallachia and Transylvania remained separate, and Michael never attempted to connect Transylvania to Wallachia, nor interfere in Transylvania's system of government (by the Estates). What is more he also invited some Székelys and other Transylvanian Hungarians to assist in the administration of Wallachia, where he wished to transplant Transylvania's far more advanced feudal system. Especially during the period of the Romanian national awakening, his victories were interpreted as the first unification of the Romanian people, and Michael remains a Romanian national hero.
Historical Record
Significance & Legacy
Michael triumphantly entered Alba Iulia and became de facto ruler of Transylvania, taking his first major step toward uniting all three Romanian principalities under a single ruler for the first time in history.
Frequently Asked Questions
- When was the Battle of Șelimbăr?
- The Battle of Șelimbăr took place in 1599. Oct 18, 1599.
- Who won the Battle of Șelimbăr?
- The Wallachia (Michael the Brave) were victorious against the Principality of Transylvania.
- What was the significance of the Battle of Șelimbăr?
- Michael triumphantly entered Alba Iulia and became de facto ruler of Transylvania, taking his first major step toward uniting all three Romanian principalities under a single ruler for the first time in history.