DukeofSerbia
06-21-2005, 19:23
Battle of Angora was the most important part of life of Serbian prince Stefan Lazarević. Serbia became independent from Ottomans after battle. So...
Battle was near modern Ankara or ancient Ankira or Angora, how some historian wrote, on 28th of July 1402. On one side was Tamerlan or Timur Lenka, the ruler of Samarkand, one of the most important and greatest islamic ruler, who built up huge empire. On another side was Bayazid, called „swift“. On Turkish side, as can be concluded, were Serbs, more correct, Serbian nobles as Turkish vassals, and most important was prince Stefan Lazarević. Chronicles said that Stefan brought some 8 000 Serbian knights (heavy cavalry).
Another intersting moment of battle was that Stefan Lazarević was commander of Turkish right wing, contrary to Turkish strategic customs (Serbian cavalry was in right wing). But that was Bayazid’s wish who had full confidence in Stefan (one of Bayezid’s wives was Olivera, Stefan’s sister). And he was right.
Timur started battle heavy. He immediately attacked with his right wing on Bayazid’s left. But Stefan stopped that and went in counter attack. Serbian knights in few places break through Timur lines and made casulties. That was dangerous, because Serbian knights can now kill Timur army from back. Then Timur invited Tatars from second line. Timur beat back Bayazid’s right wing, but Serbian knights again saved. Then Timur invited general reserve and with left wing he again attacked. With help of Anatolian cavalry, Stefan and Serbian knights again survived. Battle became more and more bloody. Heat, starvation and thirst killed men. Suddenly, Timur got help from Bayazid’s side. Bayazid’s Minorasian cavalrymen, who were Mongols, betrayed them and switched side. After that Bayazid’s army was quckly beaten. Stefan was bravely fight. Chronicles said that he three times went in attack, but that was useless. Serbian knights fight with swords and lances. In crucial moment Stefan came to Bayazid’s tent and said him to run away as is still possible. But we know what happend...
What happend after battle we know from chronicle of dinasty of Timur Lenka, ruler of Samarkand, which is saved in library of mosque Hidriz in Samarkand. Quatation: „What from Bayezid’s army didn’t killed, fall in slavery to Emir Timur Gurgan (Gurgan in Persian means gravedigger) Thesalians and Thracians 10 000, Arabs 15 000, Tatars 90 000 and 8 000 Serbs. And ordered Emir Timur Gurgan in righfull anger that whole 10 000 Thesalians and Thracians to kill, every second Arabs, every fifth Tatars, and nobody to kill Serbs. Because, Timur Gurgan said, he never saw greatest heroes not even in Mongolia, in Norasma, in Persia, in Armenia, in Russian state on Volga, in India and under Bagdade. Bringing everybody in slavery who were not kill, he ordered that Serbs released to their homes with their weapons, horses and horse equipement. He only didn’t want to release 70 Serbs who were skillfull in build of bridges, towers and temples, because Greeks, who came from Constantinopoles with gifts, told him that those Serbs are good as masters from Venice. That’s how Emir Timur Gurgan bring from Angora to Samarkand 70 Serbs builders and masters...“
Stefan Lazarević went after battle in Constantinopoles and from Byzantum emperor he got title despot (first title under emperor). Serbia cancelled vassalization with Ottomans...
Battle was near modern Ankara or ancient Ankira or Angora, how some historian wrote, on 28th of July 1402. On one side was Tamerlan or Timur Lenka, the ruler of Samarkand, one of the most important and greatest islamic ruler, who built up huge empire. On another side was Bayazid, called „swift“. On Turkish side, as can be concluded, were Serbs, more correct, Serbian nobles as Turkish vassals, and most important was prince Stefan Lazarević. Chronicles said that Stefan brought some 8 000 Serbian knights (heavy cavalry).
Another intersting moment of battle was that Stefan Lazarević was commander of Turkish right wing, contrary to Turkish strategic customs (Serbian cavalry was in right wing). But that was Bayazid’s wish who had full confidence in Stefan (one of Bayezid’s wives was Olivera, Stefan’s sister). And he was right.
Timur started battle heavy. He immediately attacked with his right wing on Bayazid’s left. But Stefan stopped that and went in counter attack. Serbian knights in few places break through Timur lines and made casulties. That was dangerous, because Serbian knights can now kill Timur army from back. Then Timur invited Tatars from second line. Timur beat back Bayazid’s right wing, but Serbian knights again saved. Then Timur invited general reserve and with left wing he again attacked. With help of Anatolian cavalry, Stefan and Serbian knights again survived. Battle became more and more bloody. Heat, starvation and thirst killed men. Suddenly, Timur got help from Bayazid’s side. Bayazid’s Minorasian cavalrymen, who were Mongols, betrayed them and switched side. After that Bayazid’s army was quckly beaten. Stefan was bravely fight. Chronicles said that he three times went in attack, but that was useless. Serbian knights fight with swords and lances. In crucial moment Stefan came to Bayazid’s tent and said him to run away as is still possible. But we know what happend...
What happend after battle we know from chronicle of dinasty of Timur Lenka, ruler of Samarkand, which is saved in library of mosque Hidriz in Samarkand. Quatation: „What from Bayezid’s army didn’t killed, fall in slavery to Emir Timur Gurgan (Gurgan in Persian means gravedigger) Thesalians and Thracians 10 000, Arabs 15 000, Tatars 90 000 and 8 000 Serbs. And ordered Emir Timur Gurgan in righfull anger that whole 10 000 Thesalians and Thracians to kill, every second Arabs, every fifth Tatars, and nobody to kill Serbs. Because, Timur Gurgan said, he never saw greatest heroes not even in Mongolia, in Norasma, in Persia, in Armenia, in Russian state on Volga, in India and under Bagdade. Bringing everybody in slavery who were not kill, he ordered that Serbs released to their homes with their weapons, horses and horse equipement. He only didn’t want to release 70 Serbs who were skillfull in build of bridges, towers and temples, because Greeks, who came from Constantinopoles with gifts, told him that those Serbs are good as masters from Venice. That’s how Emir Timur Gurgan bring from Angora to Samarkand 70 Serbs builders and masters...“
Stefan Lazarević went after battle in Constantinopoles and from Byzantum emperor he got title despot (first title under emperor). Serbia cancelled vassalization with Ottomans...