Third Mongol invasion of Poland

Part of Mongol invasion of Europe

Date	December 6th, 1287 - early February, 1288
Location	Lesser Poland
Result	Polish victory; Mongol invasion repulsed

Belligerents

Golden Horde

Kingdom of Galicia–Volhynia

Kingdom of Poland

Kingdom of Hungary

Commanders and leaders

Nogai Khan

Talabuga

Duke Leo I of Galicia

Duke Volodymir of Volhynia
Duke Mstislav of Lutsk

Leszek II the Black

György of Sóvár

Strength

30,000

20,000 in Talabuga's column
10,000 in Nogai's column

15,000

5,000 cavalry
10,000 infantry

Casualties and losses

Heavy

Moderate

30,000

15,000

The third Mongol invasion of Poland was carried out by Nogai Khan and Talabuga in 1287-1288. As in the second invasion, its purpose was to loot Lesser Poland, and to prevent Duke Leszek II the Black from interfering in Hungarian and Ruthenian affairs. The invasion was also part of the hostilities between Poland and Ruthenia; in 1281, the Poles had defeated a Mongol force near Goslicz which had entered Duke Leszek's territory in support of Lev I.

The invasion was undertaken by a force of 30,000 men, a mix of Mongols and Ruthenian vassals. The plan, devised by Nogai Khan, was similar to the one from 1259. The Mongol army was divided into two columns. 20,000 men attacked towards Sandomierz and northern Lesser Poland, while 10,000 men (all cavalry) headed towards Kraków. After looting the province, they were to unite north of Kraków.

The northern column of the Mongol forces was supported by a large contingent of the Mongol vassals, Ruthenians, under Duke Mstislav of Lutsk, Duke Volodymir of Volhynia, and Duke Lev of Halicz. Leszek II the Black stood opposed to the Mongols with probably 15,000 strong. Furthermore, in comparison to the second invasion, several towns and cities had been fortified. Kraków in particular was described as having a castle made entirely out of stone, and was "protected by catapults and large and small crossbows.” This was in sharp contrast to the first two invasions, when Kraków's citadel was made of wood.

On December 7, 1287, the northern group of Mongol forces under Talabuga left a camp near Wlodzimierz Wolynski, and, after by-passing Lublin, the army tried to cross the Vistula near Zawichost. Since the river was not frozen, they had to find a ford, heading southwards. The invaders besieged and assaulted Sandomierz, but abandoned their siege after their storming attempt was beaten back. They left Ruthenian units in the area of the city and changed their course.

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Wikipedia