Siege of Hainburg
Encyclopedia
The Siege of Hainburg were two sieges of Hainburg conducted by Matthias I, King of Hungary
, during the Austro-Hungarian War (1477–88). The first siege was broken in July 1482 by the Imperial Army of the Holy Roman Empire
. Corvinus laid siege to the town again in August 1482, this time with better preparations, and took Hainburg in September 1482.
, Holy Roman Emperor
, during the Bohemian Wars. Subsequently, relations deteriorated when Frederick III formed a Holy-Roman-Czech-Polish alliance in Nürnberg in 11 March 1474 against Hungary
.
A period of rearmament and mobilization in 1477, followed by a short war, resulted in the Treaty of Korneoburg-Gmunden; the treaty required the Holy Roman Empire
to pay 100,000 florin
s of reparations to Hungary. However, the sum was never paid despite several warnings and delays. As tensions rose, both countries began looking for allies amongst the other's nobility.
The situation was further inflamed by the defection of Johann Beckensloer, Archbishop
of Esztergom
in Hungary, to the Holy Roman Empire where he laid claim to the Archbishopry of Salzburg. He left Hungary on a feigned pilgrimage to Aachen
; the real reason was he was not in favor with the Gabriel Rangoni of Verona, the Bishop
of Gyulafehérvár
. Beckensloer took with him part of the Hungarian treasury he had access to, and lent it to Frederick III in exchange for Salzburg. The incumbent, Bernard II of Rohr, was convinced to step down, but Bernard II recanted and reasserted his claim the same year. The emperor had the canons
of Salzburg ignore Bernard II's claim, who in turn sought the protection of Matthias I of Hungary on November 18. On Bernard II's behalf, Hungary seized the properties of the archdiocese of Salzburg in Styria and Carinthia
by the end of the year. Since the archdiocese was a secular-independent principality with holdings spread across the secular provinces, this did not mean war with the Empire.
The Hungarian army confronted Imperial troops several times during the seizures. The ambiguous state of conflict led the Hungarians to occupy some Imperial castles, including Radkersburg, and resulted in the siege of Graz
. Frederick III declared this a breach of the peace, but Matthias I replied Hungarian troops were entering territories belonging to Archbishop Bernard II, and were there on the archbishop's invitation. Furthermore, the Hungarian king reminded the Emperor of the outstanding reparations payment from the Treaty of Korneoburg-Gmunden, which entitled Hungary to collect the debt by other means. Finally, Matthias I accused the Empire of taking advantage of Hungary during the then-ongoing Ottoman–Hungarian Wars, using the southern deployment of the Hungarian army to violate Hungarian territory, including an attack on Győr
that killed 800 civilians.
In the spring of 1482, Matthias I sent 4000 cavalry
, led by Captain Johann Zeleny of Schonau, to plunder Austrian territory along the Danube
up to Passau
. The incursion was stopped by the intervention of Cardinal
Antonio Caffarelli, Bishop of Ascoli
, who organized a truce. Nonetheless, war was inevitable as both sides continued to strengthen their forces.
; the siege proceeded slowly due to the lack of siege weapons
. The Empire deployed an army of 4000 troops, led by Ruprecht von Reichenberg, to lift the siege. Matthias I dispatched troops to determine the size and location of the relief force. The Hungarian scouts ran into the Imperial army at Rohrau, and launched a cavalry assault but were unable to break through the enemy's quadratic defense formation. The stiff resistance caused the Hungarians to begin retreating in disorder; Hungarian captains Wilhelm Tettauer and Stefan Zápolya attempted to hold the line but were trapped with 70 other nobles by Imperial pursuers.
The advance of the Imperial army forced Matthias I to lift the siege. The Hungarians abandoned their equipment and supplies as they retreated with all haste to Presburg. Zápolya was taken prisoner but managed to escape after drawing the sword of a custodian and using it to kill the custodian; he rejoined the army at Presburg. The King of Hungary appealed to the nobility for reinforcements to join him at Presburg. Urban Dóczi, Bishop of Győr
, raised 5000 troops in 50 days at his own expense. The Raci horsemen of Slavonia
also responded. Learning from the first experience, siege engines were also added, including the "Varga-mortar" which required 80 horses to move.
On September 23, Prior
Bartholomew Beriszló launched a surprise, and unauthorized, cavalry attack on Imperial positions; this caused Imperial forces to abandon their fortifications and retreat with their wagons towards Bruck
. Matthias I declined to pursue despite the urgings of several subordinates. Nonetheless, Francis Haraszti and Moses of Buzla led an unauthorized cavalry assault on the Imperial remnants; Haraszti died from a shoulder cut and Moses was also wounded. All other attempts were forbidden.
Matthias I returned to Hainburg to prosecute the siege. The town fell after a week of heavy bombardment. The defenders, led by Wolfgang Fuchs, agreed to surrender in exchange for 3000 florins and free passage. Taking the town had cost the King of Hungary 200.000 florins.
King of Hungary
The King of Hungary was the head of state of the Kingdom of Hungary from 1000 to 1918.The style of title "Apostolic King" was confirmed by Pope Clement XIII in 1758 and used afterwards by all the Kings of Hungary, so after this date the kings are referred to as "Apostolic King of...
, during the Austro-Hungarian War (1477–88). The first siege was broken in July 1482 by the Imperial Army of the Holy Roman Empire
Holy Roman Empire
The Holy Roman Empire was a realm that existed from 962 to 1806 in Central Europe.It was ruled by the Holy Roman Emperor. Its character changed during the Middle Ages and the Early Modern period, when the power of the emperor gradually weakened in favour of the princes...
. Corvinus laid siege to the town again in August 1482, this time with better preparations, and took Hainburg in September 1482.
Background
Matthias I assisted Frederick IIIFrederick III, Holy Roman Emperor
Frederick the Peaceful KG was Duke of Austria as Frederick V from 1424, the successor of Albert II as German King as Frederick IV from 1440, and Holy Roman Emperor as Frederick III from 1452...
, Holy Roman Emperor
Holy Roman Emperor
The Holy Roman Emperor is a term used by historians to denote a medieval ruler who, as German King, had also received the title of "Emperor of the Romans" from the Pope...
, during the Bohemian Wars. Subsequently, relations deteriorated when Frederick III formed a Holy-Roman-Czech-Polish alliance in Nürnberg in 11 March 1474 against Hungary
Kingdom of Hungary in the Middle Ages
The Kingdom of Hungary was formed from the previous Principality of Hungarywith the coronation of Stephen I in AD 1000. This was a result of the conversion of Géza of Hungary to the Western Church in the 970s....
.
A period of rearmament and mobilization in 1477, followed by a short war, resulted in the Treaty of Korneoburg-Gmunden; the treaty required the Holy Roman Empire
Holy Roman Empire
The Holy Roman Empire was a realm that existed from 962 to 1806 in Central Europe.It was ruled by the Holy Roman Emperor. Its character changed during the Middle Ages and the Early Modern period, when the power of the emperor gradually weakened in favour of the princes...
to pay 100,000 florin
Florin
Florin derives from the city of Florence in Italy and frequently refers to the gold coin struck in 1252.This money format was plagiarized in other countries and the word florin is used, for example, in relation to the Dutch guilder and the coin first issued in 1344 by Edward III of England, then...
s of reparations to Hungary. However, the sum was never paid despite several warnings and delays. As tensions rose, both countries began looking for allies amongst the other's nobility.
The situation was further inflamed by the defection of Johann Beckensloer, Archbishop
Archbishop
An archbishop is a bishop of higher rank, but not of higher sacramental order above that of the three orders of deacon, priest , and bishop...
of Esztergom
Archdiocese of Esztergom
The archbishopric of Esztergom was a historical diocese created in 1000 under Stephen I of Hungary largely on the territory of Upper Hungary. After the Treaty of Trianon, its territory was reduced to its present-day extent and it became the Archdiocese of Esztergom-Budapest on 31 May 1993...
in Hungary, to the Holy Roman Empire where he laid claim to the Archbishopry of Salzburg. He left Hungary on a feigned pilgrimage to Aachen
Aachen
Aachen has historically been a spa town in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. Aachen was a favoured residence of Charlemagne, and the place of coronation of the Kings of Germany. Geographically, Aachen is the westernmost town of Germany, located along its borders with Belgium and the Netherlands, ...
; the real reason was he was not in favor with the Gabriel Rangoni of Verona, the Bishop
Bishop
A bishop is an ordained or consecrated member of the Christian clergy who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight. Within the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox Churches, in the Assyrian Church of the East, in the Independent Catholic Churches, and in the...
of Gyulafehérvár
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Alba Iulia
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Alba Iulia is an archdiocese in Transylvania, Romania. It was established as the Diocese of Transylvania in 1009 by Stephen I of Hungary and was renamed as the Diocese of Alba Iulia on 22 March 1932...
. Beckensloer took with him part of the Hungarian treasury he had access to, and lent it to Frederick III in exchange for Salzburg. The incumbent, Bernard II of Rohr, was convinced to step down, but Bernard II recanted and reasserted his claim the same year. The emperor had the canons
Canon (priest)
A canon is a priest or minister who is a member of certain bodies of the Christian clergy subject to an ecclesiastical rule ....
of Salzburg ignore Bernard II's claim, who in turn sought the protection of Matthias I of Hungary on November 18. On Bernard II's behalf, Hungary seized the properties of the archdiocese of Salzburg in Styria and Carinthia
Duchy of Carinthia
The Duchy of Carinthia was a duchy located in southern Austria and parts of northern Slovenia. It was separated from the Duchy of Bavaria in 976, then the first newly created Imperial State beside the original German stem duchies....
by the end of the year. Since the archdiocese was a secular-independent principality with holdings spread across the secular provinces, this did not mean war with the Empire.
The Hungarian army confronted Imperial troops several times during the seizures. The ambiguous state of conflict led the Hungarians to occupy some Imperial castles, including Radkersburg, and resulted in the siege of Graz
Graz
The more recent population figures do not give the whole picture as only people with principal residence status are counted and people with secondary residence status are not. Most of the people with secondary residence status in Graz are students...
. Frederick III declared this a breach of the peace, but Matthias I replied Hungarian troops were entering territories belonging to Archbishop Bernard II, and were there on the archbishop's invitation. Furthermore, the Hungarian king reminded the Emperor of the outstanding reparations payment from the Treaty of Korneoburg-Gmunden, which entitled Hungary to collect the debt by other means. Finally, Matthias I accused the Empire of taking advantage of Hungary during the then-ongoing Ottoman–Hungarian Wars, using the southern deployment of the Hungarian army to violate Hungarian territory, including an attack on Győr
Gyor
-Climate:-Main sights:The ancient core of the city is Káptalan Hill at the confluence of three rivers: the Danube, Rába and Rábca. Püspökvár, the residence of Győr’s bishops can be easily recognised by its incomplete tower. Győr’s oldest buildings are the 13th-century dwelling tower and the...
that killed 800 civilians.
In the spring of 1482, Matthias I sent 4000 cavalry
Hungarian cavalry
Hungarian cavalry was one of the most famous troops in the world. The Hungarian heavy knights defeated the Turks many times. However the most famous Hungarian units were the Hussars.- Ancient Hungarian cavalry and the horse archery :...
, led by Captain Johann Zeleny of Schonau, to plunder Austrian territory along the Danube
Danube
The Danube is a river in the Central Europe and the Europe's second longest river after the Volga. It is classified as an international waterway....
up to Passau
Passau
Passau is a town in Lower Bavaria, Germany. It is also known as the Dreiflüssestadt or "City of Three Rivers," because the Danube is joined at Passau by the Inn from the south and the Ilz from the north....
. The incursion was stopped by the intervention of Cardinal
Cardinal (Catholicism)
A cardinal is a senior ecclesiastical official, usually an ordained bishop, and ecclesiastical prince of the Catholic Church. They are collectively known as the College of Cardinals, which as a body elects a new pope. The duties of the cardinals include attending the meetings of the College and...
Antonio Caffarelli, Bishop of Ascoli
Roman Catholic Diocese of Cerignola-Ascoli Satriano
The Italian Catholic diocese of Cerignola-Ascoli Satriano, in Puglia, has existed under this name since 1986. It is a suffragan of the archdiocese of Foggia-Bovino...
, who organized a truce. Nonetheless, war was inevitable as both sides continued to strengthen their forces.
First siege
On July 4, Matthias I assembled an army at Köpcsény and departed for Hainburg. The castle was sited on a hilltop surrounded by the DanubeDanube
The Danube is a river in the Central Europe and the Europe's second longest river after the Volga. It is classified as an international waterway....
; the siege proceeded slowly due to the lack of siege weapons
Siege engine
A siege engine is a device that is designed to break or circumvent city walls and other fortifications in siege warfare. Some have been operated close to the fortifications, while others have been used to attack from a distance. From antiquity, siege engines were constructed largely of wood and...
. The Empire deployed an army of 4000 troops, led by Ruprecht von Reichenberg, to lift the siege. Matthias I dispatched troops to determine the size and location of the relief force. The Hungarian scouts ran into the Imperial army at Rohrau, and launched a cavalry assault but were unable to break through the enemy's quadratic defense formation. The stiff resistance caused the Hungarians to begin retreating in disorder; Hungarian captains Wilhelm Tettauer and Stefan Zápolya attempted to hold the line but were trapped with 70 other nobles by Imperial pursuers.
The advance of the Imperial army forced Matthias I to lift the siege. The Hungarians abandoned their equipment and supplies as they retreated with all haste to Presburg. Zápolya was taken prisoner but managed to escape after drawing the sword of a custodian and using it to kill the custodian; he rejoined the army at Presburg. The King of Hungary appealed to the nobility for reinforcements to join him at Presburg. Urban Dóczi, Bishop of Győr
Roman Catholic Diocese of Gyor
The Diocese of Győr is a diocese of the Latin Rite of the Roman Catholic Church in Hungary. The diocese is suffragan to the Archdiocese of Esztergom-Budapest. The diocese is believed to have been established in 1009 by King Stephen I of Hungary, along with most of the other Hungarian dioceses.The...
, raised 5000 troops in 50 days at his own expense. The Raci horsemen of Slavonia
Slavonia
Slavonia is a geographical and historical region in eastern Croatia...
also responded. Learning from the first experience, siege engines were also added, including the "Varga-mortar" which required 80 horses to move.
Second siege
The quick regeneration of the Hungarian army at Presburg allowed the Hungarians to seize the initiative and march against Hainburg. On September 20, the Imperial army, now expanded to 10,000 troops, began the march back to lift the siege. Matthias I took 8000 troops, leaving the rest to maintain the siege, to attack the relief army. The Hungarians dug in after seeing the size of the enemy army, while the Imperial army prepared to send supplies into the town. During the lull both sides bombarded the other's outposts. An attempt by the Empire to sneak 42 wagons into Hainburg was foiled by Hungarian sentries.On September 23, Prior
Prior
Prior is an ecclesiastical title, derived from the Latin adjective for 'earlier, first', with several notable uses.-Monastic superiors:A Prior is a monastic superior, usually lower in rank than an Abbot. In the Rule of St...
Bartholomew Beriszló launched a surprise, and unauthorized, cavalry attack on Imperial positions; this caused Imperial forces to abandon their fortifications and retreat with their wagons towards Bruck
Bruck
-People:*Charles Bruck , Hungarian-French conductor*Dietmar Bruck , German footballer*Hermann Brück , German astronomer*Ludwig Bruck, Australian physician & medical journalist...
. Matthias I declined to pursue despite the urgings of several subordinates. Nonetheless, Francis Haraszti and Moses of Buzla led an unauthorized cavalry assault on the Imperial remnants; Haraszti died from a shoulder cut and Moses was also wounded. All other attempts were forbidden.
Matthias I returned to Hainburg to prosecute the siege. The town fell after a week of heavy bombardment. The defenders, led by Wolfgang Fuchs, agreed to surrender in exchange for 3000 florins and free passage. Taking the town had cost the King of Hungary 200.000 florins.