070 MONGOL WARRIOR vs EUROPEAN KNIGHT: Eastern Europe 1237-42

1-972070

Fully illustrated study of the forces that clashed during the Mongol invasion of Europe between 1237 and 1242. Allows a comparison to be made between the all-conquering nomad horsemen of the steppes and the mounted knights of the West.

Having conquered much of Central Asia by 1237, the Mongols advanced into the northern Caucasus. The fall of several key centers such as Riazan and Vladimir was followed by Mongol victory at Kiev. Moving west, in 1241 two Mongol armies achieved stunning victories at the battles of Liegnitz in Poland and the Sajo River (Mohi) in Hungary, before suffering their only reverse of the campaign at the fortress of Klis. The Mongol forces regrouped in Hungary to prepare for a further advance into Austria and Germany, but the death of their leader, Ogedei Khan, meant that his generals were required to return to Mongolia to choose a successor. Smaller Mongol forces would return to raid in the years to come, but never again would Western Europe be threatened as it was in 1242.