128 ANTEMURALE
Knights, paid court to the crusading tradition. Some historians, such as Lelewel,
have chosen to liken Poland's militant role in Eastern Europe to that of Spain in
the West with its seven-hundred-year Holy War against the Moors.
In effect, the Poles were never very zealous Crusaders. Their participation in
the general crusades to the Holy Land was extremely limited, and the few Polish
kings who made Holy War against the Infidel had entirely normal political
motives for doing so. On this point, considerable dispute has been aroused by
the policy of the young Wladyslaw III Jagiellon, King of Poland and Hungary.
In 1443, he heeded the promptings of the Papal Nuncio, Giuliano Cesarini, and
led his armies eastwards in an attempt to check the growing power of the
Ottomans. In previous years, the Hungarians had contained the Turkish men-
ace with difficulty, and had fought fierce campaigns against the Pasha of Serbia,
and against Dracula, Pasha of Wallachia. Now they crossed to the offensive.
Passing through Belgrade and Sofia, they made for Adrianople. In 1444, the issue
hung in the balance. The Ottoman Sultan, Murad II, had forced the Venetian
blockade of the Straits, and, landing on the European shore, had brought up
much-needed reserves of cavalry. The decisive battle took place on 10
November on the Black Sea coast, not far from modern Varna. The initial suc-
cess of the Christians was cut short by a foolhardy move to take the Sultan's
centre by direct assault. The disaster was complete. The death of the young king
was recorded by the Ottoman chronicler, Chodza Efendi (Saad-ed-din):
It was dawn, as the morning star announced the strident call to arms. The archers began
the fight, and when the full force of the sajdaki had been unleashed, both sides fell on
each other sword in hand... The enemy was already gaining the advantage, when
Karaya, the mighty Beyler-Bey of Anatolia, was struck down by infidel steel. Confused
and terrified, the spahis broke ranks and fled.
The Sultan, seeing them flee, raised his thoughts to Allah. 'Lord,' he cried, 'By the
merit of rulers inspired by thy power ... by the zeal of the warriors of the Faith ... by
the last and greatest of Thy prophets ... by the light of his heavenly soul... save the
army of Islam from the heel of the heretics. Save the defenders of the Faith from the
shame of an Infidel victory.' Heaven answered his prayer.
The King of the Infidels, burning with the excitement of victory, heeded the false coun-
sel of one, Janko, to attack the camp of the padishah directly. With a handful of soldiers,
and brandishing a captured scimitar, he made no attempt to halt his charge as he rode
straight towards the Sultan. But Murad, patiently bearing the insult,... spoke to the
guard about him, 'Cut this accursed madman off from his retinue... Give way on both
sides as he flies like a wounded boar among you, then suddenly close the gap.. .'
The King careless in his bravery, spurred on his horse far ahead of his followers...
charging straight for the splendid bunczuk of the padishah. At first, in accordance with
their orders, the soldiers let this soulless dog pass. Then, they surrounded him. A janis-
sary by name of Chodza Kazer threw him to the ground by wounding his horse, then sev-
ered the head of this disciple of Hell, and brought it to the padishah... Those who had
followed this crazy youth among our soldiery were chopped to pieces, like rissoles.
Seeing in this event an act of Divine Providence, smiling and full of praise, the Sultan
cried aloud, 'Et-hamdu lillahl alazzefer! (God be praised for this victory). He then