Mongols crush Polish-German host at Legnica
April 9, 1241
In a field in Silesia, a Mongol tumen under Baidar and Kadan destroyed the combined army of Henry the Pious of Poland and the Teutonic Knights. Henry's head was paraded on a spear before the walls of Legnica. The knights' severed right ears filled nine great sacks. News of the disaster raced west through Christendom, and monasteries from Prague to Paris began praying for deliverance.
In context
Also in 1241 (3 other events on record)
- Mongols shatter Hungarians at Mohi · Europe · War
- Ogedei Khan dies in Mongolia · Central Asia · Politics
- Hanseatic League begins to take shape · Europe · Politics
Before and after in Europe
Before and after in War
Era
High Middle Ages (1000–1300), one of 1,306 events from that era on Saeculum.
Sources