Battle of Lipnic (against the Tatars)(1470)
Background
The Golden Horde had been raiding Moldavia regularly. Eminek Mirza led a major force across the Dniester to pillage and extort tribute. Stefan chose the Dniester crossing as his killing ground.
Campaign: Moldavian-Tatar Wars
Forces Engaged
The Battle
A massive Tatar raiding force crossed the Dniester into Moldavia. Stefan met them at Lipnic on the Dniester. Devastating Moldavian victory — nearly the entire Tatar force was destroyed or captured.
The Battle of Lipnic was a battle between the Moldavian forces under Stephen the Great, and the Volga Tatars of the Golden Horde led by Ahmed Khan, and which took place on the August 20, 1470.
Casualties & Outcome
Nearly entire Tatar force destroyed — estimated 20,000 Tatar casualties; ~1,000 Moldavian losses
Moldova achieved victory over Golden Horde Tatars.
Stephen conditioned the life of the Khan's son on his father's making peace with Moldavia, stating that his son would live until the exact day that a Tatar would touch the land of Moldavia. However, the Khan's son was eventually killed, after an episode at Stephens's court. This episode is mentioned by Stanislaus Sarnicius (Sarnicki), as well as by Jan Długosz in his Historia Polonica: Ahmed Khan failed to organize a new attack against Stephen. By 1502, the Great Horde was completely destroyed by Stephen the Great and his ally Meñli I Giray of the Crimean Khanate. Stephen took measures to protect his eastern frontier, strengthened the Orhei and Tighina fortresses, and built the Soroca fortress, thus completing the Eastern line of defence along the river Nistru. Tatar attacks continued against Moldavia, this time from the other Tataric states from north of the Black Sea.
Historical Record
Significance & Legacy
Stefan's most complete victory. Eliminated Tatar threat from the north-east for a generation. Demonstrated Moldavian military capability on multiple fronts.
Frequently Asked Questions
- When was the Battle of Lipnic (against the Tatars)?
- The Battle of Lipnic (against the Tatars) took place in 1470. Aug 20, 1470.
- Who won the Battle of Lipnic (against the Tatars)?
- The Moldova were victorious against the Golden Horde Tatars.
- What was the significance of the Battle of Lipnic (against the Tatars)?
- Stefan's most complete victory. Eliminated Tatar threat from the north-east for a generation. Demonstrated Moldavian military capability on multiple fronts.