Misplaced Pages

#844155

56-514: The origin of the Lajkonik is uncertain, but there are some common stories associated with its popularity. Some think that it originated in pre-Christian times when it was believed that in the spring the horse brought good luck and high crop yields. Other stories are associated from the 13th century, when the city was attacked during the Mongol invasion of Poland . One, likely counterfactual story, says that

112-570: A diversion to occupy northern European forces which might come to Hungary's aid. Orda's forces devastated northern Poland and the southwestern border of Lithuania . Baidar and Kadan ravaged the southern part of Poland: first they sacked Sandomierz in order to draw the Northern European armies away from Hungary; then on 3 March they defeated a Polish army in the battle of Tursko ; then on 18 March they defeated another Polish army at Chmielnik ; on 24 March they seized and burned Kraków , and

168-536: A Polish army under the voivode of Kraków , Włodzimierz, in the battle of Tursko . On 18 March they defeated another Polish army with units from Kraków and Sandomierz at the battle of Chmielnik . Panic spread through the Polish lands, and the citizens abandoned Kraków , which was seized and burned by the Mongols by 24 March. In the meantime, one of the most powerful contemporary Dukes of Poland , and Duke of Silesia, Henry II

224-428: A detachment (no less than one and no more than two tumens ) from the army of Subutai , demonstrated the advantages of the tactical mobility and speed of mounted archery . The Mongol tactics were essentially a long series of feigned attacks and faked withdrawals from widely dispersed groups, which were designed to inflict a constant slow drain by ranged fire, disrupt the enemy formation and draw larger numbers away from

280-634: A diversion, they stayed to keep the Bohemian forces tied up, avoiding confrontation with the larger army while splitting up into bands and sacking minor towns and villages. Eventually, they turned away from Bohemia and Poland and headed southward to join Batu and Subutai, who had defeated the Hungarians at the Battle of Mohi . Larger invasions of Poland, devoted primarily to looting, would be launched later. Led by Burundai ,

336-636: A few days later they tried unsuccessfully to capture the Silesian capital of Wrocław . While deciding whether or not to besiege Wrocław, Baidar and Kadan received reports that King Wenceslaus I of Bohemia was two days away with an army over twice the size of Henry's. The Mongols turned from Wrocław to intercept Henry's forces before the European armies could meet. The Mongols caught up with Henry near Legnica at Legnickie Pole (Polish for "Field of Legnica"), also known as Wahlstatt. The Mongol diversionary force,

392-470: A population of 500 today . There were also later, larger Mongol invasions of Poland (1259–1260 and 1287–1288). In 1254 or 1255, Daniel of Galicia revolted against the Mongol rule. He repelled the initial Mongol assault under Orda's son Quremsa. In 1259, the Mongols returned under the new command of Burundai ( Mongolian : Borolday). According to some sources, Daniel fled to Poland leaving his son and brother at

448-899: Is also the name of a brand of Polish snack manufacturers based in Skawina . Since 2012, seats in public transport in Kraków are upholstered in a Lajkonik pattern. There are numerous folk dance groups in Poland named after Lajkonik. In the United States , two groups based in Tucson and Chicago have also adopted the folk figure's name. There is one dance ensemble in Western Sydney called Lajkonik. First Mongol invasion of Poland 2nd invasion (1259–60) 3rd invasion (1287–88) The Mongol Invasion of Poland from late 1240 to 1241 culminated in

504-649: The Battle of Legnica , where the Mongols defeated an alliance which included forces from fragmented Poland and their allies, led by Henry II the Pious , the Duke of Silesia and High Duke of Poland . The first invasion's intention was to secure the flank of the main Mongolian army attacking the Kingdom of Hungary . The Mongols neutralized any potential help to King Béla IV being provided by

560-519: The Battle of Liegnitz ( German : Schlacht von Liegnitz ) or Battle of Wahlstatt ( German : Schlacht bei Wahlstatt ), was fought between the Mongol Empire and combined European forces at the village of Legnickie Pole ( Wahlstatt ), approximately 10 kilometres (6 mi) southeast of the city of Legnica in the Duchy of Silesia on 9 April 1241. A combined force of Poles and Moravians under

616-530: The Battle of Tarczek . A contemporary European account, the Ystoria Mongalorum , supports these numbers, placing the Mongol force that invaded Poland at 10,000 horsemen. According to James Chambers , Henry's force numbered at most 25,000 troops, most likely less, and had a large number of untrained and poorly equipped men, sometimes with no weapons other than the tools of their trade. Lesser trained forces included an army from Opole under Duke Mieszko II

SECTION 10

#1733084603845

672-518: The Bohemians were days away with a large army. The Mongols turned from Wrocław, not finishing the siege, in order to intercept Henry's forces before the European armies could meet. The Mongols caught up with Henry near Legnica at a place known later as Wahlstatt ("Battlefield" in Middle High German ; now the village Legnickie Pole , "Field of Legnica"). Henry, in addition to his own forces,

728-519: The Cumans to have submitted to their authority, but the Cumans fled westward and sought asylum within the Kingdom of Hungary . After King Béla IV of Hungary rejected Batu Khan 's ultimatum to surrender the Cumans, Subutai began planning the Mongol invasion of Europe . Batu and Subutai were to lead two armies to attack Hungary itself, while a third under Baidar , Orda Khan and Kadan would attack Poland as

784-475: The Main Market Square . People in traditional folklore dress accompany him while others are adorned in oriental garments and hold horsetail insignia in their hands. The procession winds its way through the historic streets of the city, followed by musicians, children, and revelers. On his way, the Lajkonik touches spectators with his golden mace and collects money for the traditional ransom. Being touched by

840-529: The Fat ; Moravians led by Boleslav, son of the Margrave of Moravia Děpolt III ; conscripts from Greater Poland ; and volunteer Bavarian miners from not long before established town of Goldberg ( Złotoryja ). Henry's better trained troops were his own gathered in his Silesian realm , mercenaries, and very small contingents of French Knights Templar and other foreign volunteers. Historian Marek Cetwiński estimates

896-624: The German crusaders may have been added to the text after chronicler Długosz had completed the work. A legend that the Grand Master of the Teutonic Order , Poppo von Osterna , was killed during the battle is false, as he died at Legnica years later while visiting his wife's nunnery. The Hospitallers have also been said to have participated in this battle, but this too seems to be a fabrication added in later accounts; neither Jan Długosz's accounts nor

952-718: The Great reached an agreement with the Golden Horde and apparently undertook to pay tribute in exchange for military support against Lithuania. In a letter to the Teutonic master, he claimed that seven Mongol princes commanding troops were coming to his aid. The Knights, however, were seeking a rapprochement with Lithuania and accused Casimir to the popes as having submitted to the Mongols. Battle of Legnica 2nd invasion (1259–60) 3rd invasion (1287–88) The Battle of Legnica ( Polish : bitwa pod Legnicą ), also known as

1008-418: The Lajkonik is worn also by street disguisers as a tourist attraction. However, the true Lajkonik is only the one at the festival on the first Thursday after Corpus Christi. There are numerous souvenirs and folk art items depicting the Lajkonik. The Lajkonik is so popular that the name has become a trade name for numerous products sold in Poland and abroad, including hotels ( [1] ), snacks ( [2] ). Lajkonik

1064-577: The Lajkonik's mace is believed to bring good luck. At the Market Square, the mayor of the city awaits the Lajkonik with a pile of ransom money and a chalice with which they make a toast to the wellbeing of Kraków and its inhabitants. Music and dancing continues in front of the Old Tower Hall at the Main Square. Some Polish folk groups use the figure of the Lajkonik in their performances. The costume of

1120-756: The Mongol army. Berke had no intention of occupying or conquering Poland. After this raid Pope Alexander IV tried without success to organize a crusade against the Tatars. Northwestern Rus princes complained to the occupying military Mongol masters about the repeated attacks from the Kingdom of Poland. In response to the complaints, Nogai's army recruited troops from Rus principalities, which included: Vlakh, Kipchak, Alan soldiers [respectively] and an unsuccessful raid followed in 1287, led by Talabuga and Nogai Khan. Lublin, Masovia , Sandomierz, and Sieradz were successfully raided, but they were defeated at Kraków. Despite this, Kraków

1176-409: The Mongol capital of Karakorum for the kurultai which would elect the next Khagan and probably saved the Polish lands from being completely overrun by the Mongols. The death of Duke Henry, who was close to unifying the Polish lands and reversing their fragmentation, set back the unification of Poland. It took place in the 14th century, and also meant the loss of Silesia , which would drift outside

SECTION 20

#1733084603845

1232-492: The Mongols successfully raided Poland in 1259–1260 . They raided again under the leadership of Tulabuga and Nogai Khan , accompanied by vassal troops from Ruthenia , but were unsuccessful in 1287 . Although the Mongols repeatedly expressed a desire to conquer central Europe in ultimatums up to the 1270s, Poland and Hungary stayed outside of the Golden Horde 's sphere of influence. The Russian lands to their east remained under

1288-403: The Mongols endured sufficient casualties to dissuade them from attacking the Bohemian army. The Mongols cut the right ear off each fallen European in order to count the dead; supposedly they filled nine sackfuls, though this has as much validity as European accounts of the numbers of Mongols. Henry was struck down and beheaded while attempting to flee the battlefield with three bodyguards, and

1344-420: The Mongols merely had lured the knights away from their supporting infantry and used a smokescreen to prevent the infantry and remaining cavalry from seeing their more advanced knights being surrounded and massacred. Once the Polish and German knights were killed, the remainder of the Polish army was vulnerable and easily encircled. The later Polish chronicler Jan Długosz claimed that the Mongols caused confusion in

1400-467: The Mongols paraded his head on a spear before the town of Legnica. Wenceslaus I of Bohemia , who had been a day's march away, fell back to gather reinforcements from Thuringia and Saxony upon learning of the defeat. He was overtaken by the Mongol vanguard at Kłodzko . However, his force was far larger and more powerful than the host at Legnica, and the Mongol detachment was routed by the Bohemian cavalry. As Baidar and Kadan's orders had been to serve as

1456-401: The Pious, gathered his forces and allies around Legnica . Henry, in order to gather more forces, even sacrificed one of the largest towns of Silesia, Wrocław , abandoning it to the Mongols. Henry was also waiting for Wenceslaus I of Bohemia , his brother-in-law, who was coming to his aid with a large army. While considering whether to besiege Wrocław, Baidar and Kadan received reports that

1512-509: The Poles from assisting Hungary until the Hungarians were defeated. That army, under Baidar , Kadan and Orda Khan , began scouting operations in late 1240. Though the Mongols may have entered with relatively modest goals and forces, they almost completely annihilated all Polish forces and influenced the Bohemian army to defend its homeland instead of assisting beleaguered Hungary. A key feature of

1568-406: The Poles or any military orders. The Mongols invaded Europe with three armies. One of the three armies was tasked with distracting Poland, before joining the main Mongol force invading Hungary. The Mongol general in charge, Subutai , did not want the Polish forces to be able to threaten his flank during the primary invasion of Hungary. Thus, the Mongol goal was to use a small detachment to prevent

1624-483: The Polish forces by yelling 'Flee!' in Polish through the smokescreen. The Mongols did not take Legnica castle but had a free rein to pillage and plunder Silesia before moving off to join their main forces in Hungary. A contingent of Teutonic Knights of indeterminate number is traditionally believed to have joined the allied army. However, recent analysis of the 15th-century Annals of Jan Długosz by Labuda suggests that

1680-470: The Polish infantry. Although the mangudai fled, Mongol light cavalry flanked the Polish forces. A smokescreen was used to hide the Mongol movements and confuse the Europeans. While the Mongol light cavalry attacked from the flanks and the heavy cavalry attacked from the front, Mongol archers peppered the Polish forces with arrows. Erik Hildinger indicates that the levies of Boleslav led the attack, instead of

1736-476: The Polish knights detached from the main body of allied forces in pursuit of the fleeing Mongols, the invaders were able to separate the knights from the infantry and defeat them one by one. The Annals of Jan Długosz also describes the battle, although it was written in the 15th century, not when it actually occurred. The army of Henry II was almost destroyed—Henry and Boleslav of Moravia were killed and estimates of casualties range from 2,000 to 40,000, essentially

Lajkonik - Misplaced Pages Continue

1792-527: The Polish sphere of influence (and gradually become a part of the Bohemian Crown ). A number of military settlements such as Sutiejsk were never rebuilt after having been destroyed by the Mongols. This ancient Slavic gord was one of the most important administrative centers of the so-called Land of the Red Gords (“Grody Czerwienskie”) , a historic region between Poland and Rus’ . This Polish village has

1848-469: The Silesians, Moravians, and Templars. According to Chambers' description of the battle, the Silesian cavalry initiated combat with the vanguard ( mangudai ) of the Mongol army. After the Silesians were repelled, the cavalry of Greater Poland, led by Sulisław, and the cavalry of Opole then attacked the Mongols. The Mongol vanguard retreated, inducing the allied cavalry to pursue, thereby separating them from

1904-459: The Silesians. He adds that after the Polish cavalry began their pursuit during the Mongols' feigned retreat, a rider shouted "Run! Run!" (in Polish) to the Polish forces, confusing Mieszko, who ordered his Opole contingent to retreat from the battle. This withdrawal led Henry to order his own reserves and cavalry into the fight. The Mongols had much success in the battle by feigning their retreat. After

1960-710: The Tatar assumed the position of bogeyman, as the Kraków Corpus Christi "Lajkonik" procession colorfully reminds one" Whatever the origin, the city continues the tradition with a festival that has taken place every June for the past 700 years. The Lajkonik is a man dressed up as a warrior from the East. He rides a prancing white hobbyhorse through the city streets from the Premonstratensian (Norbertine) Convent in Zwierzyniec to

2016-507: The Templar Master of France, Ponce d'Aubon , mention them. Peter Jackson further points out that the only military order that fought at Legnica was the Templars. The Templar contribution was very small, estimated around 68–88 well-trained, well-armed soldiers; their letter to the king of France gives their losses as three brother knights, two sergeants and 500 'men'—according to their use of

2072-475: The Vistula to Kraków. The dukes of Sandomierz and Opole joined battle briefly before retreating. At Legnica the Silesian duke Henry II the Pious , intercepted the invaders only to perish with his knights... The Tatars returned to ravage southern Poland again in 1259 and 1287 and the threat they posed dominated central and east European political and religious life for the next 200 years or so... In regional folklore

2128-441: The actual course of the battle are lacking and sometimes contradictory. The general historical view is that it was a crushing defeat for the Polish and Moravian forces where they suffered heavy casualties. One of the Mongol leaders, Kadan , was frequently confused with Ögedei's grandson Kaidu by medieval chroniclers, and thus Kaidu has often been mistakenly listed as leading the Mongol forces at Legnica. The Mongols considered

2184-478: The allied force to have been 2,000 strong, while Gerard Labuda estimates 7,000–8,000 soldiers in the Christian army. A contingent of Teutonic Knights of indeterminate number is traditionally believed to have joined the allied army. However, recent analysis of the 15th-century Annals of Jan Długosz by Labuda suggests that the German crusaders may have been added to the text after chronicler Długosz had completed

2240-411: The command of Duke Henry II the Pious of Silesia , supported by feudal nobility and a few knights from military orders sent by Pope Gregory IX , attempted to halt the Mongol invasion of Poland . The battle took place two days before the Mongol victory over the Hungarians at the much larger Battle of Mohi . As with many historical battles, the exact details of force composition, tactics, and

2296-467: The entire army. Ponce d'Aubon reported to King Louis IX of France that the military order lost 500 people, both in Legnica and subsequent raids on three Templar villages and two "towers" among them nine brothers, three knights, and two sergeants. This number likely included civilians of the villages. Mongol casualties are unknown; a perfect execution of their standard tactics would have minimized losses, but

Lajkonik - Misplaced Pages Continue

2352-409: The first attack to Poland, two tumens (20,000 men) from the Golden Horde , under the leadership of Berke , attacked Poland after raiding Lithuania . This attack was commanded by the young prince Nogai Khan and general Burundai. The Rus' soldiers under Daniel's son, Lev, and brother, Vasily, joined the Mongol expedition. Lublin , Sandomierz , Zawichost , and Kraków were ravaged and plundered by

2408-676: The invasion was the speed of the Mongol advance, which kept the Polish defenders uncertain of their strength and movements. Though the Polish forces in total were far larger than the two Mongol tumens (12,000-20,000 men) assigned to defeat them, the Mongols attacked from multiple directions before the Polish armies could merge into one united force. As a result, the Mongols engaged the Polish armies in various battles and skirmishes and defeated them in detail . Mongol tumen , moving from recently conquered Volodymyr in Kievan Rus , first destroyed Sutiejsk , then sacked Lublin , after which Sandomierz

2464-572: The letter sent to the King of France (then Saint Louis ) from the Templar Grand Master Ponce d'Aubon mention them. Peter Jackson further points out that the only military order that fought at Legnica was the Templars. The Templar contribution was very small, estimated around 68–88 well-trained, well-armed soldiers; their letter to the King of France gives their losses as nine brother knights, three sergeants and 500 'men'—according to their use of

2520-432: The main body into ambush and flank attacks. These were standard Mongol tactics used in virtually all of their major battles; they were made possible by continual training and superb battlefield communication, which used a system of flags. The Mongol commander found the highest ground at the battle site, seized it and used it to communicate to his noyans and lesser commanders their orders for troop movement. The Mongol system

2576-612: The mercy of the Mongol army. He may have hidden in the castle of Galicia instead. The Mongols needed to secure Poland's aid to Daniel and war booty to feed the demand of their soldiers. Lithuanians also attacked Smolensk and menaced Torzhok , tributaries of the Golden Horde, in c. 1258. The Mongols sent a punitive expedition into Lithuania for this. The Lithuanians appear to have not resisted them efficiently. Borolday again demanded Daniel to recruit more troops. After demolishing walls of all towns in Galicia and Volhyinia, in 1259, 18 years after

2632-519: The people of Kraków successfully repelled the Tatar invasion. Because they killed one of the leaders, a Tatar Khan , the victorious defenders dressed up in the Khan’s clothing and triumphantly rode into the city. Another version recalls that the Tatars arrived at the city gates at night in 1287, but chose not to attack the city until morning and instead camped along the Vistula . Some locals transporting wood on

2688-430: The river saw them and decided to play a joke on the city. They entered the city gates and dressed up like Tatars on horses trying to scare people into thinking the gates were breached. To the relief of the people of the city their true identity was soon discovered and the incident's popularity led the mayor to declare this to be an annual celebration. "On Ash Wednesday, 10 March 1241, Tatars ravaged Sandomierz and crossed

2744-471: The term, laity men at arms from the local secular dioceses. The Mongols avoided the Bohemian forces, who were too frightened to advance and assist the Hungarians, and defeated the Hungarians in the Battle of Mohi . But news that the Grand Khagan Ögedei had died the previous year along with disagreements between the Mongol princes Batu, Guyuk, and Buri caused the descendants of the Grand Khagan to return to

2800-471: The term, probably peasants working their estates and thus neither better armed or trained than the rest of the army's infantry. Henry divided his forces into four sections: the Bavarian miners led by Boleslav of Moravia; the conscripts from Greater Poland along with some Cracovians led by Sulisław, the brother of the killed palatine of Kraków; the army of Opole under Mieszko; and, under Henry's personal command,

2856-525: The weaknesses of 13th-century Mongol logistical support in Western Eurasia. Current estimates suggest the Mongol force numbered, at most, 25,000 cavalry. The Historia Tatarorum by the Franciscan C. de Bridia Monachi suggests a Mongol force of 10,000 troops, which would have been reduced to around 8,000 after casualties suffered earlier in the campaign, at the Battle of Chmielnik , Battle of Tursko , and

SECTION 50

#1733084603845

2912-413: The work. A legend that the Grand Master of the Teutonic Order , Poppo von Osterna , was killed during the battle is false, as he died at Legnica years later while visiting his wife's nunnery. The Hospitallers have also been said to have participated in this battle, but this too seems to be a fabrication added in later accounts; neither Jan Długosz's accounts nor the letter sent to the King of France from

2968-432: Was a stark contrast to the European systems, in which knights advanced with basically no communication with supporting forces. The numbers involved are difficult to judge. European accounts vary as to Mongol numbers—some suggest more than 100,000 at Legnica alone. These are gross overestimates, given that this number is far larger than the entire Mongol force in all of Europe at the time, as well as not taking into account

3024-428: Was aided by Mieszko II the Fat (Mieszko II Otyły), as well as remnants of Polish armies defeated at Tursk and Chmielnik, members of military orders , and small numbers of foreign volunteers. The decisive battle for Poland occurred at the Battle of Legnica on 9 April. A European knight charge appeared to cause that section of the Mongol line to rout, thus leading Henry II to commit his cavalry to chase them. However,

3080-478: Was besieged and then sacked after surrendering on 13 February. Around this time, their forces split. Orda's forces devastated central Poland, moving to Wolbórz and as far north as Łęczyca , before turning south and heading via Sieradz towards Wrocław . Baidar and Kadan ravaged the southern part of Poland, moving to Chmielnik , Kraków , Opole , and finally, Legnica , before leaving Polish lands heading west and south. Baidar and Kadan on 13 February defeated

3136-455: Was devastated. This raid consisted of less than one tumen, since the Golden Horde's armies were tied down in a new conflict which the Il-Khanate had initiated in 1284. The force retreated instead of facing the larger Polish force. Ozbek Khan and Jani Beg warred with the powerful kingdom of Poland to secure their claim on western Rus (modern Belarus and Ukraine ). Towards 1356, Casimir III

#844155