Tumu Crisis
1449
The young Ming Zhengtong Emperor, goaded by his eunuch Wang Zhen, led an army north against Esen's Oirat Mongols and was captured alive when his camp was surrounded at Tumu fortress. Half the imperial cavalry died. China's northern prestige collapsed. The emperor was eventually ransomed, placed under house arrest, and later restored.
In context
Also in 1449 (3 other events on record)
- Ulugh Beg Assassinated by His Son · Central Asia · Science
- Yu Qian Defends Beijing from Mongols · East Asia · War
- French Recover Rouen · Europe · War
Before and after in East Asia
Before and after in War
Era
Late Middle Ages (1301–1500), one of 874 events from that era on Saeculum.
Sources