Battle of Kosovo
The Battle of Kosovo, fought on June 15, 1389, was a significant conflict between the Ottoman Empire and a coalition of Christian forces led by Prince Lazar of Serbia. This battle occurred during the Ottoman Empire's expansion into the Balkans, driven by its goals to encircle the Byzantine Empire and advance into central Europe. The Serbian forces, primarily composed of Serbs but also including Bosnians, Bulgars, and others, initially performed well, with early successes against the Ottoman troops.
A pivotal moment in the battle was the assassination of Sultan Murad I by the Serbian knight Miloš Obilić, which temporarily created chaos in the Ottoman ranks. However, the Ottomans quickly regrouped under the leadership of Murad's son, Bayezid I, who launched a decisive counter-offensive. This resulted in a catastrophic defeat for the Christian coalition, leading to the capture and execution of Prince Lazar.
The implications of the battle were profound, as it marked the beginning of extensive Ottoman control over southeastern Europe. While central Europe managed to fend off further invasions, the Byzantine Empire eventually fell in 1453, signaling a significant shift in power dynamics in the region. The Battle of Kosovo remains a symbol of resistance for many in the Balkans and is viewed with varying interpretations across different cultures.
Battle of Kosovo
Type of action: Ground battle in Turkish Wars of European Expansion
Date: June 15, 1389
Location: Kosovo, Serbia
Combatants: Serbians (and other European nationalities) vs. Ottomans
Principal commanders: Serbian, Prince Lazar (d. 1389); Ottoman, Sultan Murad I (1326?-1389)
Result: Ottoman victory; Turks seize the Balkans and encircle the Byzantine Empire
After the demise of the Crusades, the Ottoman Empire (the most powerful force in the Islamic world) began its westward probe. The empire, controlled by Turkey, had two primary goals: to push up the Danube River valley and capture Vienna, capital of the rival Habsburg Dynasty, and to encircle and then overrun the thousand-year-old Byzantine Empire. To accomplish either goal, the Ottomans had to conquer the states bordering on the Balkan mountain range. Orthodox, proud, and determined, the independent state of Serbia took the lead in stopping the advancing Muslims. Murad I, a consummate opportunist, took advantage of Byzantine internal dissension (a chronic problem) and the frequent feuds and rivalries of the Slavic states to extend Ottoman control of the Balkan Peninsula.
The stakes were enormous and clearly understood. A European victory would end the immediate threat to the Balkans and reinforce the Byzantine Empire and might even encourage the Western Europeans to restart the Crusades. Conversely, an Ottoman victory would mean abject disaster for the Christian forces. Only the Habsburgs would stand in the way of possibly millions of Muslims flooding into central and western Europe. Prince Lazar, the strongest Serbian leader, was put in charge of the combined defensive group. Although Serb-dominated, the defenders also consisted of Bosnians, Bulgars, Croats, Vlachs, Albanians, Magyars, and even Poles. Kosovo, also known as “the field of blackbirds,” was known for its rivers and mountains and thereby seemed to be a logical place to fortify and await the nearing Ottomans.
Blessed by religious fervor and a string of capable leaders after 1300, the Turks crossed the straits connecting the Mediterranean and Black Seas in 1354 and began moving north. Following river valleys, the Islamic invaders captured Serres (1383), Sofia (1385), and Nish (1386), before attacking Kosovo on June 15, 1389. These victories were largely the product of vastly superior Ottoman infantry and cavalry units, composed mostly of Christian Janissary forces. The Turks were also outstanding administrators, which meant they did not need to allocate huge numbers of troops to maintain control of previously conquered areas.
Early in the battle, Prince Lazar’s forces did well. Fighting a defensive war on familiar terrain, the Serbs rebuffed the initial Ottoman advances. Then a nearly miraculous act occurred that seemed to seal victory for the Europeans. A Serbian nationalist named Miloš Obilić pretended to be a deserter and, through a combination of bluff and good fortune, found his way into the sultan’s tent and fatally stabbed him with a hidden poisoned dagger. As might be expected, chaos ensued in the Islamic camp and when word of Obilić‘s audacious act drifted back to the Serbs and their allies, many believed that the assassination was an act of God to save and preserve Christian Europe.
The Ottomans soon recovered, however. Murad’s son, Bayezid, was quickly installed as the new sultan, and he acted forcefully and resolutely. The assassin was summarily executed as Bayezid I consolidated his power. He then launched an immediate offensive with the goals of surprising the still celebrating defenders and surrounding their forces. The new sultan succeeded on both counts, and the Europeans suffered tremendous defeat. Prince Lazar was captured and executed as all resistance came crumbling to an end. The Ottoman Empire gained control of southeastern Europe.
Significance
As feared, central Europe was besieged and attacked by Ottoman forces. Although Hungary and most of the area would be conquered, Vienna survived the Turkic invasion and would remain the ruling city of the Habsburg Dynasty until 1918. The Byzantine Empire, however, was not as fortunate, falling to Ottoman sultan Mehmed II in 1453.
Resources
Judah, Tim. The Serbs: History, Myth, and the Destruction of Yugoslavia. New Haven, Conn.: Yale University Press, 1997.
Malcolm, Noel. Kosovo: A Short History. New York: New York University Press, 1998.
Singleton, Frederick Bernard. A Short History of the Yugoslav Peoples. New York: Cambridge University Press, 1988.