Third Mongol invasion of Poland | |||||||
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Part of Mongol invasion of Europe | |||||||
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Belligerents | |||||||
Golden Horde Kingdom of Galicia–Volhynia |
Kingdom of Poland Kingdom of Hungary |
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Commanders and leaders | |||||||
Nogai Khan Talabuga Duke Volodymir of Volhynia Duke Mstislav of Lutsk Duke Lev of Halych |
Leszek II the Black | ||||||
Strength | |||||||
30,000[2] | 15,000[3] |
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The third Mongol invasion of Poland was carried out by Nogai Khan and Talabuga in 1287-1288.[4][5] As in the second invasion, its purpose was to loot Lesser Poland, and to prevent Duke Leszek II the Black from interfering in Hungarian and Ruthenian affairs. The invasion was undertaken by a force of 30,000 men; slightly less than one tumen of them were Mongol cavalry. The rest of the soldiers were provided by Mongol vassals. The plan, devised by Nogai Khan, was similar to the one from 1259. Mongolian army was divided into two columns. 20,000 men attacked towards Sandomierz and northern Lesser Poland, while 10,000 men headed towards Kraków. After looting the province, they were to unite north of Kraków.
The northern column of the Mongol forces was supported by a large contingent of the Mongol vassals, Ruthenians, under Duke Mstislav of Lutsk, Duke Volodymir of Volhynia, and Duke Lev of Halicz. Leszek II the Black stood opposed to the Mongols with probably 15,000 strong. Furthermore, in comparison to the second invasion, several towns and cities had been fortified.[6] Kraków in particular was described as having a castle made entirely out of stone, and was "protected by catapults and large and small crossbows.”[7]
On December 7, 1287, the northern group of Mongol forces under Talabuga left a camp near Wlodzimierz Wolynski, and, after by-passing Lublin, the army tried to cross the Vistula near Zawichost. Since the river was not frozen, they had to find a ford, heading southwards. The invaders besieged and assaulted Sandomierz, but abandoned their siege after their storming attempt was beaten back.[8] They left Ruthenian units in the area of the city and changed their course. Mongol forces were ill-prepared and failed to capture many fortified locations. Most likely, they attempted to approach the Łysa Góra Abbey, but some time in late 1287, were defeated in the Battle of Łagów. After reaching the area of Kielce, the Mongol forces began the retreat, and in January 1288, they reached their winter camp in Lwow.
The southern group of Mongol forces, under Nogai Khan, on December 24, 1287 besieged Kraków. The Mongols launched an unsuccessful assault on the fortified city, suffering heavy casualties and losing several of their leaders in the process.[9][10] Nogai Khan decided to change plans, and to plunder the areas both north and south of Kraków. Mongol units besieged Stary Sącz but failed to capture the fortress. After several skirmishes with both Poles and their Hungarian allies they decided to leave Lesser Poland in late January 1288.
Compared to the first two invasions, the raid of 1287/88 was short and much less devastating. The Mongols did not capture any significant cities and castles, taking fewer prisoners than in the previous invasions.
References
- ^ Witold Sarnecki, David Nicolle: Medieval Polish Armies 966-1500, Osprey Publishing 2009, ISBN 978-1-84603-014-7
- ^ Stanisław Krakowski, Polska w walce z najazdami tatarskimi w XIII wieku, MON, 1956, pp. 181-201
- ^ Stanisław Krakowski, Polska w walce z najazdami tatarskimi w XIII wieku, MON, 1956, pp. 181-201
- ^ James Chambers. The Devil's Horsemen: The Mongol Invasion of Europe. Atheneum. New York. 1979. ISBN 0-689-10942-3
- ^ Stanisław Krakowski, Polska w walce z najazdami tatarskimi w XIII wieku, MON, 1956, pp. 181-201
- ^ Lindsay Stephen Pow. Thesis: Deep Ditches and Well-built Walls: A Reappraisal of the Mongol Withdrawal from Europe in 1242.University of Calgary. Alberta, Canada. 2012.
- ^ William of Rubruck. The Journey of William of Rubruck. In The Mission to Asia, ed. Christopher Dawson. London: Sheed and Ward, 1955. Page 131.
- ^ Pow, p. 77: "The Mongols were able to destroy some fortresses and towns, but their siege of Sandomir failed."
- ^ Chambers, p.165: "Nogai advanced against Cracow and Tole-Buka attacked Sandomir, but the Poles had learned by past experience. The garrisons were not tempted to engage the enemy in the field. They remained on the walls and both [Cracow and Sandomir] held out against the Mongol assaults.
- ^ Pow, p.77: "Their attack on Krakow was also repelled with the loss of many of their leaders, and for their resistance, the citizens of Krakow received tax exemption".
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