Volta
Conflict9 April 1241

Battle of Legnica

Also called: Battle of Liegnitz, Battle of Wahlstatt

A Mongol column of Batu’s army that entered Poland defeated a Polish and German knightly army under Henry II the Pious at Legnica. Henry was killed.

The Battle of Legnica — from the Legend of Saint Hedwig manuscript of 1353
The Battle of Legnica — from the Legend of Saint Hedwig manuscript of 1353

Unknown author · Public domain · Source

In the spring of 1241 one Mongol column burned Kraków and entered Silesia. On 9 April, on the plain southeast of Legnica, Duke Henry II of Silesia gathered Polish knights with Teutonic and Templar contingents to meet them, but was undone by a feigned retreat, smoke screens and mounted archers. Henry was killed, and the Mongols reportedly paraded his head on a spear before Legnica castle. The column then turned south to join the main army in Hungary.

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States and rulers at the time
Mongol Empire · victor — Ögedei Khan
Kingdom of Poland · defeated
Places
Legnica (Wahlstatt)

People

  • Henry II the Pious1196 – 1241

    commander · High Duke of Poland and Duke of Silesia, killed fighting the Mongols at the Battle of Legnica in 1241

Before and after

Later
1241 Battle of Mohi

Themes that include this event

  • The Mongol Conquests1206 – 1294

    From the rise of Genghis Khan to the Yuan conquest of the Song — eighty years in which the Mongols swept Eurasia from Goryeo to Hungary