Vlad the Impaler Chapter 10

 The battle at Varna

10.

Under the patronage of the young King; Władysław; Hunyadi deployed the army of some twenty thousand crusaders as an arc between Lake Varna and the Franga plateau; the line was about stretched far. In the center, there were the Polish and Hungarian guards with the nobles and mercenaries while the Wallachian cavalry was left in reserve behind the center. To the right were the Church armies led by the Bishops and the German mercenaries with them. The left was the army under Hunyadi’s kin, Michael Szilagyi, and the personal army of John Hunyadi’s army.

On the opposing side, in the center, the Janissaries dug in behind ditches and palisades. The left side consisted of Kapikulus and Sipahis from Rumelia, and the left wing was made up of Akıncıs, Sipahis from Anatolia, and other forces. Janissary archers and Akıncı light cavalry were deployed on the Franga plateau.

Both were huge armies but the lack was planning.

“We shall test the other.” The Sultan sends the light Ottoman cavalry to assault the Croats of ban Franco Talotsi. Christians from the left riposted with bombards and firearms and stopped the attack.

“Sultan, they deployed gunpowder.” The Kolagasi of the calvary sighed. “We lost horses and men.”

The horses mattered to the calvary. The Kolagasi named Alay Bey. had to be given wine to soothe his wounds.

“We hit them back.” Another Kolagasi of another division of the calvary; Mahmud Ali Bey, the Anatolian calvary. “The Christian Croats were lured by the retreating Ottoman calvary into our ambush.”

The Croats were lured by the calvary and soon found themselves attack in a pincer move by the Anatolian’s cavalry. The Anatolian Sipahi were equipped and fought as classic horse archers, shooting while galloping, yet they weren't nomadic cavalry and their status was similar to medium cavalry class. Balkan Timarli Sipahis wore chainmail, rode barded horses and carried lances and javelins, and fought as medium cavalry.

“Charge!” The Kolagasi roared out, and the five hundred Sipahi went with brute at the Christian calvary. The charge stampede into the pursuing riders. It was disorderly with the Christians thinking they had the upper hand but the tide of battle was overturned.

“Break their spine.” The lancers went forward with the arrows launched from the riders mounted on the saddles. It broke the Christian’s pursuit and the retreat was called. The Sipahi blocked their escape and directed them to soft march ground.

“Kolagasi, we will trap there. The marsh land will stop the horses.” The riders called out but their Kolagasi was dead. They dismounted and led the horses by the reins. It was then the hidden Turks had snared their enemies with the volleys of arrows.

“Flee! Retreat to the fortress.” The call went out but many perished in the marsh lands.

The other Ottoman flank assaulted the Hungarians and Bulgarians of Michael Szilagyi. Their push was stopped and turned back; then the Sipahis attacked again. The riders were deadly with their arrows and the army there was forced to retreat. John Hunyadi saw the chaos and took to advance with his cavalry and left Władysław, the young King there.

“Wait for my return.” John Hunyadi told the other and rushed off.

The young king, ignoring Hunyadi's advice, rushed five hundred of his Polish knights against the Ottoman center.

“I am your King. Follow me.” The young King attempted to overrun the Janissary infantry. “The Sultan is there.”

The prospect of capturing the Sultan was tempting. The young King charged and almost succeeded, but in front of Murad's tent, the young King Władysław's horse either fell. Its front hoofs were into a trap there. The young King was hurt and then found himself surrounded by the Turks.

“He is the King. Take him to see the Sultan.” The Janissaries were to present the King to their Sultan when their Kolagasi, Kodia Hazar interceded.

“The King will die here. Many of your brothers today at his army.” The Kolagasi raised his sword and lay it at the neck. “Do I get your consent?”

The Kolagasi beheaded the King.

“It’s done.” The remaining coalition cavalry was demoralized and defeated by the Ottomans.

On his return, Hunyadi tried frantically to salvage the king's body, but all he could accomplish was to organize the retreat of the remains of his army; it suffered thousands of casualties in the chaos, and was virtually annihilated. Neither the head nor body of the king was ever found. 

The crusade ended with the catastrophic defeat of the crusaders in the Battle of Varna.

After the battle, Hunyadi wanted to return to Hungary through Wallachia, but he was captured by Wallachian soldiers at the Danube.

“Do your worse, traitor of Hungary?” John had defied the Lord then.

“Who will repay the loss of my army? My sons?” Lord Vlad glared at the other.

“They are better off dead than to be servants of the Ottoman.” John spat at Lord Vlad. The latter was to have him killed when the Palatine of Hungary, threatened him with a war.

“Even though in defeat, John Hunyadi is our hero. His efforts showed the Sultan that we are a formidable foe.” The Palatine defended John’s efforts. After releasing Hunyadi, Vlad gave him precious gifts and accompanied him as far as the Hungarian border.

“Our past is not forgotten, Lord Vlad. I will give your gifts back in kind.” John Hunyadi parting words to the Lord.

“No, John. Our past remains and the war remains. You have me pledged my men to this war, and my son's fate unknown. I will see you in Hell when all of this is done.” Lord Vlad looked to the other.

“Hell is not for you and me, Lord Vlad. It’s for your sons. They are the ones going to Hell. They have joined the Devil against God.” John laughed while he rode off.