The Battle of Varna

The King’s horse was first hamstrung, and, as it fell, the King’s head was severed from his body, stuck upon the point of a spear, and exposed to the view of both armies.

Continuing John Hunyady Repulses the Turks,
our selection from The Story of Hungary by Arminius Vambery published in 1887. The selection is presented in six easy 5-minute installments. For works benefiting from the latest research see the “More information” section at the bottom of these pages.

Previously in John Hunyady Repulses the Turks.

Time: 1440 – 1456

Later on, he took two large towns with their citadels, and in three engagements triumphed over three separate divisions of the enemy. Learning that a still larger body of Turks was attempting to cut off his communications with the King’s army, he attacked that also and put it to flight. After that he joined his corps with the main army under the King, and, indeed, none too soon. Sultan Amurath suddenly arrived with the main body of his forces, which he strongly entrenched in the narrowest passes of the Balkans. Hunyady saw that these entrenchments could not be forced and did all he could to entice his enemy down into the plain. This he succeeded in doing. In the battle that ensued the King, too, played a conspicuous part and received a wound. In the end, however, the Hungarians gained the victory, and the younger brother of the Grand Vizier was taken prisoner. So much success was sufficient for Hunyady for the time, especially as the natural obstacles had proved insurmountable. The Hungarian army returned home in good order, and the young King made a triumphal entry into his capital, preceded by a crowd of Turkish prisoners and captured Turkish ensigns. These last trophies of victory were deposited in the Coronation Church in the fortress of Buda.

And now something happened which had hitherto been deemed incredible: the Sultan sued for peace — a true believer and a sovereign, from an “unbelieving giaour.” The peace was concluded, and Hungary again became possessed of those dependent (South Slavonic) provinces which lay between the territories of the Sultan and the kingdom of Hungary in the narrower sense of the word. In three short years Hunyady had undone the work of years on the part of the Turks. The Sultan, however, soon repented of what he had done, and continually delayed the fulfilment of his promise to evacuate certain frontier fortresses. For this cause the young King, especially incited thereto by the Pope, determined to renew the war. Hunyady at first opposed the King’s resolution, and wished to wait; later on he was gained over to the King’s view and took up the matter with his whole soul. The opportunity was inviting, for the Sultan with his main army was engaged somewhere in Asia, and the Venetians promised to prevent with their fleet his return to Europe across the narrow seas in the neighborhood of Constantinople.

The Hungarian army, indeed, set out (1444) on its expedition, and, continually expecting the arrival of the troops of their allies — the Emperor of Constantinople and the princes of Albania — penetrated ever farther and farther into the hostile territory. They were to be joined by their allies at the town of Varna on the shores of the Black Sea. When, however, the Hungarians had arrived at that town, they found no trace of their expected allies, but on the contrary learned with certainty that the Sultan had succeeded in eluding the vigilance of the Venetians, had brought his army in small boats over into Europe, and was now following fast on their track.

Thus, all hope of aid from allies was at an end; the brave general and his small Hungarian force had to rely on their own resources, separated as they were by some weeks’ journey from their own country, while the enemy would be soon upon them in numbers five times their own. Yet, even so, Hunyady’s faith and courage did not desert him. The proverb says, “If thy sword be short, lengthen it by a step forward.” And Hunyady boldly, but yet with the caution that behooved a careful general, took up his position before the Sultan’s army. Both he and his Hungarians fought with dauntless courage, availing themselves of every advantage and beating back every assault. Already victory seemed to be assured. A few hours after the battle had begun both the Turkish wings had been broken, and even the Sultan and the brave janissaries were thinking of flight, when the young King, the Pole Wladislaw, whom Hunyady had adjured by God to remain in a place of safety until the combat should be decided, was persuaded by his Polish suite to fling himself, with the small band in immediate attendance upon him, right on the center of the janissaries, so that he too might have a share in the victory and not leave it all to Hunyady. The janissaries wavered for a moment under this new and unexpected attack but, soon perceiving that they had to do with the King of Hungary, they closed round his band, which had penetrated far into their ranks. The King’s horse was first hamstrung, and, as it fell, the King’s head was severed from his body, stuck upon the point of a spear, and exposed to the view of both armies. The Hungarians, shocked at the unexpected sight, wavered, and, feeling themselves lost, began to fly. All the entreaties and exhortations of Hunyady were in vain. Such was the confusion that he could be neither seen nor heard, and in a few minutes the whole Hungarian army was in headlong flight.

Hunyady, left to himself, had also to seek safety in flight. Alone, deserted by all, he had to make his way from one place of concealment to another, till after some weeks’ wandering, he arrived in Hungary. The bad news had preceded him, and in consequence everything was in confusion. Again, arose that difficult question: Who should be the new king under such difficult circumstances? The Sultan’s army had, however, suffered so much in the battle of Varna that for the time he left the Hungarians unmolested.

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