The Mongol invasion of Europe was a series of campaigns in which the Mongol Empire, under the command of Batu Khan and the general Subutai, swept across eastern Europe. An earlier raid had defeated Russian princes and Cumans at the Kalka River. In the late 1230s, the Mongols destroyed the Russian principalities, burning Ryazan, Vladimir and Kyiv. They then attacked Poland and Hungary, defeating a Polish-German army at Legnica and the Hungarian king Bela IV at the Battle of Mohi, in 1241. The Mongols withdrew in 1242, probably because the Great Khan Ogedei had died and the leaders returned to settle the succession. Batu founded the Golden Horde, which dominated Russia for two centuries.
Before and after
- from October 1220 to April 1221Siege of Gurganj
- 1221Construction of Burgos Cathedral
- 24 November 1221Battle of Indus
- from 1223 to 1240Mongol invasion of Kievan Rus'
- from 1223 to 1242Mongol invasion of Europe
- from 1225 to 1687Chagatai Khanate
- 1225Birth of Thomas Aquinas
- 29 November 1225Council of Bourges
- 1226Construction of Toledo Cathedral
More in Wars, politics & history
- from 1095 to 1291Crusades
- 1206Temujin is proclaimed Genghis Khan
- 1212Children's Crusade
- from 18 July 1270 to 30 October 1270Eighth Crusade
- 30 March 1282Sicilian Vespers
- from 24 May 1337 to 9 October 1453Hundred Years' War
The era
This moment belongs to the Medieval world (500 CE to 1500 CE), kingdoms, faiths and trade routes. You can also browse everything in the 13th century.