Hunyadi elevated the art of warfare in the Middle Ages—becoming one of Hungary’s most brilliant military commanders, defying the superior forces of the Ottoman Empire on numerous occasions.

Early in his career, János Hunyadi gained firsthand military experience along Hungary’s southern border fortresses, where he became intimately familiar with Ottoman tactics. In addition—likely as a mercenary or envoy—he had the chance to observe one of the era’s most advanced Western armies. This dual understanding of Eastern and Western military approaches gave him a depth of practical knowledge that set him apart from his contemporaries as a strategist.

Agile and multifaceted combat tactics

One of Hunyadi’s greatest strengths was organising his forces to be highly mobile and manoeuvrable. His cavalry-based tactics enabled swift redeployments and surprise attacks. During the 1443–44 long campaign, for example, the Hungarian–Serbian troops leveraged their speed to catch several Ottoman garrisons off guard. Although the campaign didn’t result in a final victory, it provided crucial military experience and inflicted heavy losses on Ottoman forces.

His army was a multinational force of Hungarians, Serbs, Székelys, Cumans, Polish and German mercenaries, and crusaders. Hunyadi effectively blended various combat styles: fast Serbian cavalry raids, nomadic Cuman archery, borrowed Hussite methods, and powerful Hungarian heavy cavalry charges—all contributing to a flexible, versatile army.

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Weaponry and technical innovations

Beyond balancing military branches, Hunyadi kept pace with technological progress. From the Czech Hussites, he adopted and refined the use of wagon forts reinforced with artillery. Behind these mobile defences, archers, crossbowmen, and soldiers armed with firearms took their positions. These formations could repel sudden assaults and support orderly retreats.

Using wagons as cover, Hunyadi implemented dense fields of gunpowder defence: soldiers armed with hook guns and crossbows, along with heavier foot troops, created highly portable protective systems.

‘János Hunyadi’s military artistry was ahead of its time, turning the defeat of superior forces into a strategic masterpiece.’

For protection, his soldiers wore simple, wide-brimmed iron hats—mostly without visors—as well as chainmail, scale armour, and plate armour, complemented by various large shields.

The strategy at Belgrade

After the Ottomans conquered much of Serbia, the Sultan—following the fall of Byzantium—set his sights on the “key to Hungary,” Belgrade. The siege took place in 1456, where Hunyadi scored one of the century’s greatest victories. Facing Sultan Mehmed II’s 70,000–80,000 troops were 7,000 castle defenders, Hunyadi’s 10,000-strong army, and a 30,000-man crusader force led by John of Capistrano.

During the siege, Hunyadi simultaneously focused on crafting sound defensive strategies, securing supplies, maintaining logistics, and boosting morale. In the heat of battle, he had already requested reinforcements from the crusader camp. When those fresh troops attacked the Ottomans from behind, Hunyadi struck the Janissaries fighting in the castle’s inner courtyard with his cavalry.

This manoeuvre highlights Hunyadi’s foresight: he didn’t just react to unfolding events but had already made provisions for encircling the enemy. At the battle’s turning point—when Capistrano’s Christian troops launched a surprise assault that distracted the Ottomans—Hunyadi recognised the enemy’s moment of weakness, rallied his remaining heavy cavalry, and led a sudden breakout from the fortress. Launching a side attack created a two-front battlefield, a tactical stroke that sealed the Ottomans’ fate.

The Pope ordered church bells rung across Christendom in celebration of Hunyadi’s triumph—a tradition still observed every day at noon. János Hunyadi’s greatness as a military leader lay in his deep patriotism, strategic brilliance, and unwavering determination to protect his people. His legacy left an indelible mark not only on his own era but on all of Europe’s history.

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