The Crusade of Varna, 1443-45 (Crusade Texts in Translation Book 14)

The Crusade of Varna of 1443-45 was one of the decisive events of the late Middle Ages. Following the temporary Union of the Greek and Latin Churches in 1439, Pope Eugenius IV created an alliance which aimed to 'liberate' Byzantium and the Balkan Peninsula from the domination of the Ottoman Empire. The Ottoman Sultan, Murad II, held the Crusaders during the winter war of 1443, finally securing victory at Varna in November, 1444. The Crusade petered out in 1445 with the expedition of the Burgundian fleet on the Danube. More than any other single event, it was Murad's victory at Varna that secured Ottoman domination of the Balkan Peninsula, with consequences which are still apparent today. Three important works, hitherto largely unnoticed in western historiography, provide eyewitness accounts of the dramatic events of 1443-45 from the Christian and the Muslim side: an anonymous Ottoman text on The Holy Wars of Sultan Murad; a section of the Anciennes Chroniques d'Angleterre by the Bugundian, Jehan de Wavrin, and a German ballad on the Crusade by Michel Beheim. These are presented here for the first time in English translation, supplemented by a series of shorter contemporary texts relating to the events of the crusade, with an introduction and annotation. The Crusade Of Varna Of 1443-45 Was One Of The Decisive Events Of The Late Middle Ages: It Was Murad's Victory At Varna That Secured Ottoman Domination Of The Balkan Peninsula. This Book Presents The First English Translation Of Three Important Works Which Provide Eyewitness Accounts Of The Dramatic Events Of 1443-45 From The Christian And The Muslim Side: An Anonymous Ottoman Text On 'the Holy Wars Of Sultan Murad'; A Section Of The 'anciennes Chroniques D'angleterre' By The Bugundian, Jehan De Wavrin, And A German Ballad On The Crusade By Michel Beheim. These Are Supplemented By A Series Of Shorter Contemporary Texts Relating To The Events Of The Crusade, An Introduction And Annotation.--jacket. I. The Holy Wars Of Sultan Murad Son Of Sultan Mehmed Khan / Anonymous -- Ii. Extract From The Anciennes Chroniques D'angleterre / Jehan De Wavrin -- Iii. This Poem Tells Of King Pladislavo, King Of Hungary, And How He Fought With The Turks / Michel Beheim -- Iv. Miscellaneous Texts -- 1. From The Decree Of The Council Of Florence, 1439 -- 2. From The Chronicle Of Uruc, B. 'adil El-kazzaz -- 3. From Nesri's History Of The Ottomans -- 4. From An Ottoman Chronological List Of 1445 -- 5. From The Chronicle Of Asikpasazade -- 6. From A Greek Short Chronicle, C1470 -- 7. From The Venetian Chronicle Of Gasparo Zancaruolo -- 8. A Note On The Flyleaf Of A Manuscript Of The Kanz Al-daqa'iq Of Al-nasafi. Colin Imber. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [209]-211) And Index. Documents Translated Into English From French, German, Old Turkish, And Various Other Languages.