Battle of Miraslau

Battle of Mirăslău

Date	September 18, 1600
Location	Mirăslău, Principality of Transylvania
Result	Habsburg and Hungarian nobility victory

Belligerents

Wallachia

Székelyss
Cossacks
Poles

Habsburg Monarchy
Transylvanian Hungarians
Transylvanian Saxons

Commanders and leaders

Michael the Brave
Baba Novac

Giorgio Basta

Strength

22,000 men

30,000 men

Casualties and losses

more than 5,000

1,000

The Battle of Mirăslău or Battle of Miriszló took place on September 18, 1600 near Miriszló (Romanian: Mirăslău ), Transylvania, between the Wallachian troops led by Michael the Brave supported by ethnic Hungarian Szeklers and the troops of Austrian general Giorgio Basta supported by the Hungarian nobility of Transylvania.

In 1599, Michael took control of Transylvania after the Battle of Şelimbăr. In autumn 1599, Michael was elected prince of Transylvania by the Estates of the country. Although the Emperor Rudolf II wanted Michael and his general Basta to govern Transylvania together, Michael, the de facto ruler, despised Basta from their initial meetings. Therefore, at a certain point in 1600, Michael became disgraced at the Habsburg emperor.

In 1600, Hungarian noblemen from Transylvania rebelled against Michael and gathered an army near Gyulafehérvár (Alba Iulia). The troops of Basta joined the Hungarian noblemen rebelling against Michael. The ethnic Hungarian Szeklers, however, kept supporting Michael as he had confirmed Szekler privileges disputed by the Hungarian nobility.

Basta marched against the Wallachian army which Michael had gathered in the small village of Miriszló (Romanian: Mirăslău), a few kilometers north of the river Mureş. The Wallachian army numbered approximately 22,000, consisting mainly of mercenaries of different nationalities, including Hungarian Szeklers, Cossacks, and Poles. Baba Novac led the cavalry at the center of the army. Basta's army of 30,000 consisted of troops of the Hungarian nobility, Austrian and Saxon troops, mostly mercenaries.

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