Battle of Chmielnik

The Battle of Chmielnik occurred on 18 March 1241 during the Mongol invasion of Poland. It ended in the total defeat of the Polish armies of Sandomierz and Kraków provinces. The Mongols were able to move unimpeded, and plunder the abandoned city of Kraków. The Mongols invaded Poland in early 1240, and were advancing westwards. The Poles had already suffered a defeat (battle of Tursk), and the Mongol forces split into two or three armies, the main... more

The Battle of Chmielnik occurred on 18 March 1241 during the Mongol invasion of Poland. It ended in the total defeat of the Polish armies of Sandomierz and Kraków provinces. The Mongols were able to move unimpeded, and plunder the abandoned city of Kraków. The Mongols invaded Poland in early 1240, and were advancing westwards. The Poles had already suffered a defeat (battle of Tursk), and the Mongol forces split into two or three armies, the main of which, under Baidar, was heading towards Kraków (Cracow), a large city (and capital of the fragmented Polish Kingdom) in central-southern Poland (two other Mongol commanders, Kadan and Orda Khan, were advancing more to the north). Details of the battle were recorded in the chronicles of Jan Długosz. Incidentally, the oldest mention of the town Chmielnik dates to the battle. In 1241, it was a village (Chmielnik would gain city rights only in mid-16th century). Polish forces were commanded by the Włodzimierz, voivode (palatine) of Kraków,... less