Safekipedia

List of wars involving Hungary

Adapted from Wikipedia · Discoverer experience

An old map showing the Kingdom of Hungary, one of the first printed maps of the region.

This is a list of wars where the Hungarian armed forces were involved or where battles happened in the area of Hungary. It includes important details about each war, such as when it happened, who Hungary fought with, and what the outcome was.

For more detailed information about military conflicts, you can look at these lists:

Each entry in the list shows the name of the conflict, the dates it occurred, Hungary's allies and enemies, and whether Hungary won or lost. Some conflicts ended with treaties or had unclear results, and a few are still ongoing.

Middle Ages

The Hungarian armed forces were involved in many wars during the Middle Ages. Some of these wars happened while the country was ruled by the Árpád dynasty.

Some wars also took place between the years 1301 and 1526.

DateConflictAlliesEnemiesResult
811Byzantine–Bulgarian war First Bulgarian Empire
Hungarian Tribes
Avar mercenaries
Byzantine EmpireDecisive Bulgarian victory
The Hungarians were in alliance with Krum of Bulgaria against Emperor Nikephoros.
~830Hungarian – Khazar WarHungarian TribesKhazarsHungarian victory
862–895Hungarian conquest of the Carpathian Basin Hungarian Tribes East Francia
Great Moravia
First Bulgarian Empire
Hungarian conquest of the Carpathian Basin
894–896
Bulgarian victory
Bulgaria's status as most favoured nation restored
Eastern Roman Empire pays annual tax tribute to Bulgaria
Bulgaria's status as most dominant Eastern European nation retained
Bulgarian territorial gains in Thrace
Magyars forced to migrate westwards and settle in Pannonia
895Campaign of Kiev
Hungarian Tribes Kievan Rus'Hungarian victory
898–900Hungarian–Venetian War Hungarian Tribes Republic of VeniceVenetian victory
899–970Hungarian invasions of Europe Hungarian TribesKingdom of Italy
East Francia
West Francia
Middle Francia
Great Moravia
Byzantine Empire
Al-Andalus
First Bulgarian Empire
Principality of Serbia
More than a century of raids and decisive wars
Between 899 and 970, according to contemporary sources, the researchers count 47 (38 to West and 9 to East) raids in different parts of Europe. From these campaigns only 8 were unsuccessful and the others ended with success.
Many tributes were paid to the Hungarians.
Many times the rulers of Europe hired the Hungarian warriors against each other.
The most significant result of the Battle of Pressburg is that the Hungarians secured their lands in 907, prevented a future German invasion, the Germans did not attack Hungarian land until 1030.
The Hungarians also used a preemptive war against the Germans and the German unification.
A Hungarian army was defeated in German land at the Battle of Lechfeld in 955. Seven years later Otto I was rewarded for stopping the Hungarians and he was crowned Emperor by Pope John XII in 962 and the Holy Roman Empire (962–1806) was established.
The Hungarian military presence stabilized the Hungarian state in the Carpathian Basin.
917Byzantine–Bulgarian war of 913–927 First Bulgarian Empire
Principality of Hungary
Pechenegs
Byzantine EmpireBulgarian victory
Hungarian troops are helping Simeon I of Bulgaria to defeat the Byzantines in the great Battle of Acheloos.
960Battle of Drina (Its existence is questionable) Principality of HungaryPrincipality of SerbiaSerbian victory
Hungarian leader named Kisa was defeated by Časlav, the Prince of Serbia.
960Battle of Syrmia (Its existence is questionable) Principality of HungaryPrincipality of SerbiaHungarian victory
A Hungarian army defeated Čаслав, the Prince of Serbia by avenge of the widow of Kisa.
984Hungarian – German border conflict at Melk Principality of Hungary Margraviate of AustriaHungarian defeat
The Hungarians supported Henry II, Duke of Bavaria against Otto II, Holy Roman Emperor, thus the Hungarians raided several times the territories of Piligrim, Bishop of Passau from the fortress of Melk.
Leopold I, Margrave of Austria launched a counter-attack and besieged and occupied Melk, which forced Géza, Grand Prince of Hungary to withdraw Hungarian forces from the territories west of the Vienna Woods and Khalenberg.
Later, Géza, Grand Prince of Hungary renounced the lands west of the river Leitha in his peace treaty of 996 with Henry IV of Bavaria. The river Leitha became the historic border between the Kingdom of Hungary and the Holy Roman Empire.
997Koppány's revolt
Principality of Hungary
Holy Roman Empire
Koppány's ArmyKoppány's defeat
1002King Stephen I's military campaign against Gyula of Transylvania Hungarian Royal ArmyGyula III of TransylvaniaSuccessful campaign of King Saint Stephen of Hungary
"Gyula" meant the second highest title in Hungarian tribal confederation. Gyula's ancestor was among the seven chieftains of the conquering Hungarians, who finally settled in Transylvania. Gyula's family ruled Transylvania in Gyulafehérvár (Alba Iulia). Gyula II was baptised in Constantinople around 952.
After the coronation King Stephen I asserted his claim to rule all lands dominated by Hungarian lords.
King Stephen I personally led his army against his maternal uncle, and Gyula III surrendered without a fight, Gyula III and his family was captured.
Transylvania was incorporated with the Kingdom of Hungary.
The establishment of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Transylvania in 1009.
1008 (?),
1029 (?)
King Stephen I's military campaign against Ajtony, a tribal leader in the Banat Kingdom of HungaryAjtony's ArmySuccessful campaign, Ajtony's defeat
1017–1018Hungarian – Polish war Kingdom of Hungary Duchy of PolandStalemate
~1018Pecheneg attack against Hungary Kingdom of HungaryPecheneg tribesHungarian victory
1018Hungarian – Bulgarian War Kingdom of Hungary
Byzantine Empire
First Bulgarian EmpireHungarian – Byzantine victory
1018The intervention of Boleslaw the Brave, Duke of Poland in the Kievan succession crisis Duchy of Poland
Kingdom of Hungary
Holy Roman Empire
Pechenegs
Kievan Rus'Temporary victory for Sviatopolk and Bolesław, Polish sack of Kiev
1030–1031German–Hungarian War Kingdom of Hungary Holy Roman EmpireHungarian victory
Military campaign of Emperor Conrad II's against Hungary
The Holy Roman Empire fails to subjugate Hungary
The Hungarians occupied Vienna.
Hungary is granted the lands between the rivers Leitha and Fischa
1041Uprising against King Peter Orseolo Hungarian ArmyHungarian noblesSuppression of King Peter
1042–1043German – Hungarian wars Kingdom of Hungary Holy Roman EmpireHungarian defeat
1044Henry III's military campaign against Hungary The army of King Samuel Aba Holy Roman Empire
Peter Orseolo and his allies
Defeat of Samuel Aba, restoration of Peter
1046War between King Peter and Prince Andrew King Peter's army
Holy Roman Empire
Prince Andrew's army
Kievan Rus'
Hungarian victory
1046Vata pagan uprising
King Peter, later King Andrew IPaganic rebelsPrince Andrew's victory
During this rebellion, Vata gained power over a group of rebels who wished to abolish Christian rule and revert to paganism.
Bishop Gerard of Csanád invited Vazul's exiled sons to the country.
Prince Andrew and Levente returned to Hungary from their exile and quickly gained popular support for the throne, especially among the pagan populace, despite the fact that Andrew was Christian (Levente had remained pagan). On their return, a rebellion began, which Andrew and Levente initially supported. The princes accepted the claims of the rebels in exchange for fighting against King Peter.
King Peter decided to flee from Hungary and take refuge in Austria. Andrew's envoys tricked the king before he reached the frontier. King Peter fled to a fortified manor at Zámoly, but his opponents captured him. King Peter was blinded, which caused his death.
The pagans slaughtered priests and Bishop Gerard of Csanád.
Prince Andrew pronounced himself king.
King Andrew soon broke with his pagan supporters, restored Christianity and declared pagan rites illegal.
1051–1052
1051
Emperor Henry III's military campaigns against Hungary Kingdom of Hungary Holy Roman Empire
Duchy of Bohemia
Hungarian victory
1052Emperor Henry III's fifth military campaign against Hungary Kingdom of Hungary Holy Roman EmpireHungarian victory
German Emperor Henry III undertook a fifth campaign against the Kingdom of Hungary, and besieged Pozsony without success, as the Hungarians sank his supply ships on the Danube river.
1056–1058German – Hungarian border war Kingdom of Hungary Holy Roman EmpireStalemate, treaty of Marchfeld
1060Civil war between King Andrew I and his brother, Prince Béla King Andrew I's army
Holy Roman Empire
Prince Béla's army
Kingdom of Poland
Prince Béla's victory
1061Second paganic uprising Hungarian armyPaganic rebelsUprising suppressed
1063German invasion of Hungary Kingdom of Hungary Holy Roman EmpireHungarian defeat
1067Croatian campaign Kingdom of HungaryDuchy of CarinthiaHungarian victory
King Solomon of Hungary and Prince Géza of Hungary helped his brother-in-law Demetrius Zvonimir of Croatia to recapture Dalmatia from the Carinthians.
1068Hungarian – Bohemian war Kingdom of Hungary Holy Roman Empire
Duchy of Bohemia
King Solomon of Hungary occupies Bohemia
1068Pecheneg attack against Hungary Kingdom of HungaryPechenegs
Ouzes
Hungarian victory
1071–1072Hungarian – Byzantine war Kingdom of Hungary Byzantine Empire
Pechenegs
Hungarian victory
Pecheneg troops pillaged Syrmia in 1071. The king and the duke suspected that the soldiers of the Byzantine garrison at Belgrade incited the marauders against Hungary, so they decided to attack the fortress.
The Hungarian army crossed the river Sava, although the Byzantines used Greek fire against their boats. The Hungarians defeated the Pechenegs who helped the Byzantines to relieve the siege. Finally the Hungarians took Belgrade after a siege of three months.
King Solomon and Prince Géza marched along the valley of the river Great Morava as far as Niš. The Hungarians seized the Byzantine city without any resistance.
1074Civil war between King Solomon and his cousins Géza and Ladislaus King Solomon's army
Holy Roman Empire
Duchy of Bohemia
Prince Géza's army
Prince Ladislaus's army
Prince Otto's army
Prince Géza and Ladislaus defeat the armies of King Solomon and Emperor Henry IV. King Solomon was dethroned.
1075Henry IV's military campaign against Hungary Kingdom of Hungary Holy Roman Empire
Solomon's army
Hungarian victory
The Campaigns of King Ladislaus I (1079–1095)
1079Henry IV's military campaign against King Saint Ladislaus Kingdom of Hungary Holy Roman EmpireHungarian victory
1085Cuman attack against Hungary Kingdom of HungaryCuman tribes
Solomon's army
Hungarian victory
King Saint Ladislaus planned to make peace and an agreement with Solomon, the former king of Hungary, but Solomon soon began conspiring against Ladislaus, and Ladislaus imprisoned him.
The first five Hungarian saints, including the first king of Hungary, Stephen I, and Stephen's son, Emeric, were canonized during Ladislaus's reign. Ladislaus released Solomon at the time of the ceremony. After his release, Solomon made a final effort to regain his crown. He persuaded a Cuman chieftain, Kutesk, to invade Hungary. Solomon promised Kutesk that he would give him the right of possession over the province of Transylvania and would take his daughter as wife. King Ladislaus defeated the invaders.
At the head of a large contingent, Solomon joined a huge army of Cumans and Pechenegs who invaded the Byzantine Empire in 1087. The Byzantines routed the invaders, Solomon seems to have died fighting on the battlefield.
1091Hungarian conquest of Croatia Kingdom of Hungary Kingdom of CroatiaHungarian victory
King Demetrius Zvonimir of Croatia was a member of the House of Trpimirović, he married Helen of Hungary from the Árpád dynasty in 1063. Helen was a Hungarian princess, daughter of King Béla I of Hungary, and sister to King Ladislaus I of Hungary. There was no living male member of the House of Trpimirović in 1091, civil war broke out in Croatia.
The widow of King Zvonimir, Helen tried to keep her power in Croatia during the succession crisis. Several Dalmatian cities and Croatian nobles around Helen asked King Ladislaus I to help Helen and offered him the Croatian throne, which was seen as rightfully his by inheritance rights.
In 1091 Ladislaus I crossed the Drava river and conquered the entire province of Slavonia without encountering opposition, Ladislaus I had success in his campaign, yet he wasn't able to establish his control over entire Croatia.
Ladislaus I appointed his nephew Prince Álmos to administer the controlled area of Croatia, established the Diocese of Zagreb as a symbol of his new authority and went back to Hungary.
Petar Snačić rose up against the Hungarian rule between 1093 and 1097.
1091Cuman attack against Hungary
Kingdom of HungaryCuman tribesHungarian victory
The Cumans invaded and plundered Hungary led by chieftain Kapolcs, first breaking through Transylvania, then the territory between the Danube and Tisza rivers. They tried to leave Hungary with their booty and prisoners, but King Ladislaus I defeated them near the Temes river.
King Ladislaus I offered Christianity to the Cuman survivors; most accepted and were settled in Jászság, in the Kingdom of Hungary.
1092Ruthenian campaign by King Saint Ladislaus Kingdom of Hungary Kievan Rus'Hungarian victory
King Ladislaus I blamed the Ruthenians for the Cuman invasion and invaded neighboring Rus' principalities, forcing them to pledge loyalty and obedience.
1094King Ladislaus I's intervention in a Polish conflict Kingdom of Hungary Kingdom of PolandHungarian victory
Władysław I Herman, Duke of Poland, was a cousin of King Ladislaus I of Hungary. King Ladislaus I intervened in a conflict between Herman and his illegitimate son, Zbigniew, capturing Herman's younger son Boleslaus and Kraków. At Ladislaus' demand, Zbigniew was recognized as legitimate.
The Campaigns of King Coloman (1095–1116)
1095Campaign in Apulia Kingdom of Hungary
Republic of Venice
Principality of TarantoHungarian victory
King Coloman seized Croatia; Doge Vitale I Michiel of Venice requested Hungarian support against the Normans. The Hungarian army, transported by Venetian ships, defeated the Normans, captured Brindisi and Monopoli, plundered the land, then withdrew after three months leaving cities to Venice.
1096First Crusade
King Coloman's defensive operations against crusaders
Kingdom of HungaryFrench and German crusadersHungarian victories
The first group of crusaders was led by Walter Sans Avoir with 150,000 troops. King Coloman received them in a friendly way and allowed them into the kingdom. They proceeded through Hungary without any major conflicts, the only incident occurred near the Hungarian–Byzantine border at Zimony.
The next group was headed by Peter the Hermit with 40,000 troops. King Coloman permitted them to enter Hungary only after Peter pledged that he would prevent them from pillaging the countryside, but Peter could not keep his promise, the crusaders plundered and raped locals. They reached Zimony, where they learned of the story of the previous conflict. The crusaders besieged and took the town, where they massacred many thousand Hungarians. They only withdrew when Coloman's troops approached them.
The third band of crusaders was led by Folkmar with 12,000 men reached Nyitra and when they saw the richness of the countryside they began plundering the region. These were soon routed by the local Hungarians.
A fourth army that came to Moson was led by Gottschalk with 15,000 men. They camped near Pannonhalma, to seize food and wine, the crusaders made frequent pillaging raids against the nearby settlements. King Coloman attacked and massacred the majority of them. The crusader mob of Gottschalk fled with 3,000 men from Hungary.
Following these incidents, King Coloman forbade the crusaders who arrived under the leadership of Count Emicho with 200,000 men to enter Hungary. The crusaders besieged Moson, their catapults destroyed the walls in two places, enabling them to storm into the fortress. King Coloman defended the fortress. After six weeks the morale of the crusader mob began to fail, which inspired the Hungarians, a panic broke out among the attackers that enabled the garrison to carry out a sortie and rout them, and most of the mob was slaughtered or drowned in the river.
The first crusader army organized by the Holy See was led by Godfrey of Bouillon with 80,000 troops. King Coloman agreed to meet with Godfrey in Sopron. The king allowed the crusaders to march through his kingdom but stipulated that Godfrey's younger brother Baldwin and his family should stay with him as hostages. The crusaders passed through Hungary peacefully along the right bank of the Danube, King Coloman and his army followed them on the left bank. He only released his hostages after all the crusaders had crossed the river Sava. The uneventful march of the main crusader army across Hungary established Coloman's good reputation throughout Europe.
1096Occupation of Biograd na Moru / Tengerfehérvár Kingdom of Hungary Kingdom of CroatiaHungarian occupation of Biograd na Moru
During the Apulia campaign, an agreement with Doge of Venice left part of Dalmatia up to Zadar under Venice; King Coloman occupied the south.
1097War of the Croatian Succession Kingdom of Hungary Kingdom of CroatiaDecisive Hungarian victory
Petar Snačić opposed Hungarian rule; Coloman defeated him at Gvozd Mountain (1097).
Coloman crowned in Biograd na Moru (1102) as "King of Hungary, Dalmatia, and Croatia", creating a personal union (1102–1918).
1099King Coloman's war against Kievan Rus' Kingdom of HungaryDavid Igorevich's army
Cuman tribes
Hungarian defeat
Siege of Przemyśl; Cumans attacked, Hungarian army defeated.
1105Siege of Zara and occupation of Dalmatia Kingdom of HungaryDalmatian cities
Republic of Venice
Hungarian victory
1107Campaign in Apulia Kingdom of Hungary
Byzantine Empire
Republic of Venice
Principality of TarantoHungarian victory
Hungarians aided Byzantines against Bohemond I; captured Brindisi and Monopoli, later ceded to Venice.
1108Hungarian war with the Holy Roman Empire Kingdom of Hungary Holy Roman Empire
Duchy of Bohemia
Hungarian victory
1115–1119Hungarian – Venetian wars Kingdom of Hungary Republic of VeniceHungarian defeat
1123Stephen II's intervention in Kievan Rus' internal conflict Kingdom of HungaryIaroslav from Vladimir
Kievan Rus'
Hungarian retreat
1124–1125Hungarian – Venetian war Kingdom of Hungary Republic of VeniceHungarian defeat
1127–1129Byzantine-Hungarian War (1127–29) Kingdom of Hungary
Grand Principality of Serbia
Byzantine EmpireStalemate, peace agreement
1132Hungarian – Polish war Kingdom of Hungary
Duchy of Austria
Kingdom of PolandHungarian victory
1136–1137Béla II's Balkan campaigns Kingdom of Hungary Byzantine Empire
Republic of Venice
Hungarian victory
1146Battle of the Fischa
Kingdom of Hungary Duchy of Bavaria
Duchy of Austria
Hungarian victory
1149–1152Géza II's intervention in Principality of Halych vs Kievan Rus' Kingdom of Hungary
Kievan Rus'
Principality of HalychPeace agreement
1149–1155Hungarian–Byzantine wars Kingdom of Hungary
Grand Principality of Serbia
Byzantine EmpireCeasefire
1154Siege of Braničevo Kingdom of Hungary
Cumans
Byzantine EmpireAbandoned siege, Hungarian retreat
1162–1165Hungarian civil war: Stephen III vs uncles Ladislaus & Stephen Kingdom of Hungary
Holy Roman Empire
Ladislaus & Stephen's army
Byzantine Empire
Stephen III's victory
1167Battle of Sirmium Kingdom of Hungary
Banate of Bosnia
Byzantine Empire
Serbian Grand Principality
Decisive Byzantine victory; Hungary lost Dalmatia
1168Hungarian–Bohemian war Kingdom of Hungary Holy Roman Empire
Duchy of Bohemia
Hungarian victory
1176Battle of Myriokephalon Byzantine Empire
Kingdom of Hungary
Principality of Antioch
Grand Principality of Serbia
Sultanate of RumSeljuk victory
Military balance maintained
Hungarian auxiliaries commanded by Palatine Ampud & Leustach Rátót under Béla III
1180–1185Hungarian–Byzantine war Kingdom of Hungary
Grand Principality of Serbia (1183–1185)
Byzantine EmpireHungarian victory; Hungary reoccupied Dalmatia
1188–1189King Béla III's campaign against Halych Kingdom of Hungary Principality of HalychHungarian victory; occupation of Halych
1190Third Crusade Holy Roman Empire
Kingdom of Hungary
Sultanate of RumCrusader victory; main Seljuk army routed
Main Seljuk army routed.
Sultanate of Rum's capital city sacked.
Géza, Prince of Hungary, the younger brother of King Béla III joined by a contingent of 2,000 men to Frederick Barbarossa to participate in the Third Crusade.
About 5,000 Imperials and Hungarians under Duke Frederick joined the Siege of Acre in October.
1192-1193Attack of the Hungarian King Bela III on the Grand Principality of Serbia Kingdom of HungaryGrand Principality of SerbiaDefeat
Hungarian invasion of the Grand Principality of Serbia prompted the intervention of Isaac II Angelos against the invaders
Retreat of the Hungarian army
Stefan Nemanja preserves his throne and state
1198Attack of Andrew II of Hungary on Hum Kingdom of HungaryGrand Principality of SerbiaInconclusive
Duke Andrew II of Hungary invades Hum, then part of the Grand Principality of Serbia, occupies a part of it temporarily, but then loses it
Hum remains a part of the Grand Principality of Serbia
1197–1203Brothers' quarrel, civil war between King Emeric and his brother Andrew Emeric's army Andrew's army
1197 (Andrew's victory)
1199 (Emeric's victory)
1203 (Emeric's victory)
1201–1205Emeric's balcanic wars Kingdom of Hungary Second Bulgarian Empire
Grand Principality of Serbia
Bosnia
Hungarian victories
1202Fourth Crusaide Kingdom of Hungary
Kingdom of Croatia
Soldiers of the Fourth Crusade
Republic of Venice
Hungarian defeat
Venetians and Crusaders sacked the city
1213–1214, 1219,
1233–1234
King Andrew II's military campaigns against Halych Kingdom of Hungary Principality of HalychHungarian defeat
1217–1218King Andrew II's participation in the Fifth Crusade
Battle of Bethsaida
Kingdom of Hungary
Duchy of Austria
Latin Empire of Constantinople
AyyubidsHungarian victories on the battlefields. Muslim forces retreated to their fortresses and towns.
1225King Andrew II expels the Teutonic Knights from Transylvania, the order had to move to Poland Kingdom of Hungary
Teutonic KnightsHungarian victory
1237–1241Bosnian Crusade The Hungarian successes were followed by quick Hungarian retreat because of the Mongol invasion of HungaryColoman of Galicia-Lodomeria"Heretics" within the Banate of BosniaStalemate after the quick Hungarian retreat due to the Mongol attacks
1241–1242First Mongol invasion of Hungary Kingdom of HungaryMongolsMongol victory at the Battle of Mohi. Mongols retreated within a year from Hungary due to the local Hungarian withstand. Both sides suffered a heavy casualties.
1242King Béla IV's punishing campaign against Frederick II, Duke of Austria Kingdom of Hungary Duchy of AustriaHungarian victory
1243Siege of Zara Kingdom of Hungary Republic of VeniceHungarian defeat
1246–1282War of the Babenberg Succession Kingdom of Hungary Kingdom of Bohemia
Margraviate of Moravia
Duchy of Austria
Duchy of Styria
Duchy of Silesia
Duchy of Carinthia
Hungarian defeat
Hungary looses control of Styria
Habsburgs gain possession of Austria
1250–1278Hungarian – Bohemian wars Kingdom of Hungary
Holy Roman Empire
Kingdom of Bohemia
Duchy of Austria
Bohemian defeat
1259Battle of PelagoniaEmpire of Nicaea
Cuman cavalry
Hungarian mounted archers
Turkish cavalry
Serbian horsemen
German knights
Despotate of Epirus
Principality of Achaea
Duchy of Athens
Duchy of the Archipelago
Triarchy of Negroponte
Kingdom of Sicily
Decisive Nicaean victory
1261–1262Occupation of Konstantin Tih's Bulgarian Empire by King Béla IV. Kingdom of Hungary Second Bulgarian EmpireHungarian victory
1264–1265Internal conflict between King Béla IV and his son, Stephen King Béla IV's army Duke Stephen's armyStephen's victory, he got eastern Hungary as a duchy
1268Mačva War Béla IV 's army captures Stefan Uroš I. Their conflict was solved with dynastic marriage.Béla IV of Hungary Kingdom of Serbia (medieval), Stefan Uroš IHungarian victory
1272–1279Feudal anarchy King Ladislaus IV
Csák noble family
Kőszegi noble family
Gutkeled noble family
Royal victory
1277Stefan Dragutin – Stefan Uroš I conflictStefan Dragutin
Kingdom of Hungary
Kingdom of Serbia (medieval) Stefan Uroš IHungarian victory
1277Hungary's war with Litovoi in Cumania Kingdom of HungaryLitovoi's armyHungarian victory
1282Cumanic uprising Kingdom of HungaryCumanic tribesHungarian victory
1285–1286Second Mongol invasion of Hungary Kingdom of Hungary Golden HordeDecisive Hungarian victory
1287–1288Third Mongol invasion of Poland Kingdom of Poland
Kingdom of Hungary
Golden Horde
Kingdom of Galicia–Volhynia
Polish – Hungarian victory
1291German – Hungarian war Kingdom of Hungary Holy Roman EmpireHungarian victory
1290–1301Croato–Hungarian war of succession after the death of king Ladislaus IV of Hungary and Croatia Árpád dynasty
Šubić family
House of Anjou
Kőszegi family
Indecisive
Árpáds were winning militarily, but Andrew III's death in 1301 extinguished the Árpád dynasty and triggered the Árpád war of succession in Hungary (1301–1308)
Paul I Šubić of Bribir became de facto independent ruler of Croatia
1298Battle of Göllheim Duchy of Austria
Kingdom of Bohemia
Kingdom of Hungary
County of Nassau
Electoral Palatinate
Habsburg victory
DateConflictAlliesEnemiesResult
1301–1308Árpád war of succession, after the extinction of the Árpád dynasty Charles Robert of Anjou
Duchy of Austria
Matthew III Csák's army
László Kán's army
Kingdom of Bohemia
Duchy of Bavaria
Kőszegi Hungarian noble family
Angevin victory
Charles Robert of Anjou became Hungarian king
1310–1321King Charles I's wars for the centralized power against the Hungarian aristocracy Kingdom of Hungary
Order of Saint John
Zipser Saxons
Matthew III Csák
Aba dynasty
Borsa family
Apor family
Kőszegi family
Royal victory
Centralization of the Hungarian Kingdom
1319Belgrade and Banate of Mačva Charles I of Hungary Kingdom of Serbia (medieval), Stefan MilutinVictory for Charles I
1322–1337Hungarian – Austrian War Kingdom of Hungary Duchy of Austria
Holy Roman Empire
Kőszegi family
Babonić Croatian noble family
Hungarian victory
Restoration of the western borders, defeat of Austria, Kőszegi and Babonić families
1321–1324Hungarian–Serbian War Kingdom of Hungary
Bosnia
Stephen Vladislav II of Syrmia
Kingdom of Serbia (medieval)Hungarian defeat
1330Hungarian-Wallachian War Kingdom of Hungary WallachiaHungarian defeat
The Wallachian army led by Basarab, formed of cavalry, peasants and foot archers, ambushed and defeated the 30,000-strong Hungarian army, in a mountainous region
1344King Louis the Great's invasion and occupation of Wallachia and Moldavia Kingdom of Hungary Wallachia
Moldavia
Hungarian victory, Wallachia and Moldavia became vassal states of King Louis the Great
1345–1358Hungarian – Venetian War Kingdom of Hungary Republic of VeniceDecisive Hungarian victory with the Treaty of Zadar. Venice had to pay annual tribute to Louis. Venetians also had to raise the Angevin flag on Piazza San Marco.
1345The campaign of King Louis I against the rebellious Croatian nobles Kingdom of HungaryCroatian noblesHungarian victory
1345Hungary's war with the Golden Horde Kingdom of Hungary Golden HordeHungarian victory
The Golden Horde was pushed back behind the Dniester River, the Golden Horde's control of the lands between the Eastern Carpathians and the Black Sea weakened
The establishment of Moldavia in 1346 as a Hungarian vassal state.
1347–1349, 1350–1352Hungarian-Naples Wars Kingdom of Hungary Kingdom of NaplesFirst campaign: temporary Hungarian victory
Second campaign: status quo ante bellum
1348Battle of Capua Kingdom of Hungary Kingdom of NaplesHungarian victory, occupation of the kingdom
1356–1359Crusade against Francesco OrdelaffiPope Innocent VIFrancesco II OrdelaffiVictory
1360–1369Louis I's balcanic wars (against Serbia, Bulgaria, Wallachia and Bosnia) Kingdom of Hungary Serbian Empire
Second Bulgarian Empire
Bosnia
Wallachia Wallachia
Temporary Hungarian victories
1366–1367Hungarian – Ottoman War Kingdom of Hungary
 Duchy of Savoya
 Padua
Republic of Venice
Kingdom of France
Byzantine Empire
Ottoman Empire
Second Bulgarian Empire
Christian victory
1369Wallachian campaign Kingdom of Hungary WallachiaHungarian victory
1372–1381War of Chioggia, Hungary defeated the Venetians in several times, and finally expelled Venetians from Dalmatia, however Genoa, Padoa and Austria lost the War. The war resulted in the Treaty of Turin (1381) Kingdom of Hungary Republic of Venice
Milan
 Ottoman Empire
 Kingdom of Cyprus
Hungarian victory, Venice had to pay annual tribute to King of Hungary
1375–1377Hungarian–Ottoman War Kingdom of Hungary Ottoman Empire
Second Bulgarian Empire
Hungarian victory
1377Hungarian – Lithuanian war Kingdom of Hungary Grand Duchy of LithuaniaHungarian victory, Louis I enters Vilnius
1384–1394Civil war between a part of the Hungarian nobility and Mary, Queen of Hungary and Sigismund king Kingdom of HungaryHorváti family
Kingdom of Naples
Sigismund's victory
1389–1396Hungarian–Ottoman War Kingdom of Hungary
Holy Roman Empire
Kingdom of France
Knights Hospitaller
Duchy of Burgundy
Duchy of Savoy
Wallachia
Lands of the Bohemian Crown
Kingdom of Poland
Kingdom of Croatia
Swiss Confederacy
Kingdom of England
Republic of Venice
Republic of Genoa
Crown of Castile
Crown of Aragon
Kingdom of Navarre
Second Bulgarian Empire
Teutonic Order
Byzantine Empire
Ottoman Empire
Moravian Serbia
Crusader defeat
King Sigismund of Hungary had experience fighting with the Ottomans, but the French knights refused his battle plan. The French knights rushed to the Ottoman lines, while the other allies stayed with the Hungarian forces under King Sigismund, this caused confusion and divided the strength of the Crusader army.
Ottomans defeat Crusades and no new Anti-Ottoman alliance is formed till the 1440s.
Ottomans maintain pressure on Constantinople, tightened control over the Balkans, and became a greater threat to central Europe.
1394–1395Wallachian campaign Kingdom of Hungary WallachiaWallachia became a Hungarian vassal, Mircea I the Great accepted the lordship of King Sigismund without any fight.
1394–1395Moldavian campaign Kingdom of Hungary MoldaviaHungarian victory
Moldavia became a Hungarian vassal.
King Sigismund of Hungary occupied Suceava the capital of Stephen I of Moldavia.
1407–1408Bosnian campaign
Battle of Dobor
Kingdom of HungaryKingdom of BosniaHungarian victory
King Sigismund achieved a decisive victory over Tvrtko II of Bosnia, 126 members of Bosnian nobility were massacred.
King Sigismund founded the Order of the Dragon as a celebration of the reoccupation of Bosnia and Dalmatia when he married Barbara of Cilli.
1411–1433Hungarian – Venetian War Kingdom of Hungary
Milan
Republic of VeniceDalmatia became part of Venice
1415–1419Hungarian – Ottoman War Kingdom of Hungary Ottoman EmpireStalemate
1419–1434Hussite Wars Holy Roman Empire
Kingdom of Hungary
Moderate Hussites (since 1423)
Hussites (mostly united until 1434) Radical Hussites (since 1434)Victory of the moderate Hussites and Catholics over the radical Hussites.
Compromise between moderate Hussites and the Catholic Church; both join forces to fight the radical Hussites
The moderate Hussites are recognized by the Catholic Church and allowed to practice their own rite
The radical Hussites are defeated, and their rites forbidden
Sigismund of Luxembourg becomes King of Bohemia
The Basel Compacts, signed by Emperor Sigismund and Catholic and Hussite representatives, effectively end the Hussite Wars
1420–1432War of the South Danube Kingdom of Hungary
Wallachia
Grand Duchy of Lithuania
Ottoman EmpireArmistice
1437Transylvanian peasant revolt of Budai Nagy AntalTransylvanian aristocracyTransylvanian peasantsDefeat of the rebels
Establishment of Unio Trium Nationum.
1437–1442Hungarian–Ottoman War Kingdom of Hungary Ottoman EmpireHungarian victory
1440–1442Hungarian Civil War (1440–1442)Peace agreement, Vladislaus is accepted as Hungarian king
John Hunyadi and Nicholas Újlaki annihilated the troops of Vladislaus opponents at Bátaszék at the beginning of 1441. Their victory effectively put an end to the civil war.
The grateful king appointed Hunyadi and Újlaki joint Voivodes of Transylvania and Counts of the Székelys. Hunyadi was appointed as head of several southern counties of the Kingdom of Hungary, he assumed responsibility for the defense of the frontiers.
1443–1444Long campaign Kingdom of Hungary Ottoman EmpireHungarian victory
1444Battle of Varna Kingdom of Hungary
Kingdom of Poland
Kingdom of Croatia
Grand Duchy of Lithuania
Crown of Bohemia
Wallachia
Bulgarian rebels
Kingdom of Bosnia
Papal States
Teutonic Knights
Ottoman EmpireCrusader defeat
Vladislaus I of Hungary, the young king, ignoring Hunyadi's advice, rushed 500 of his Polish knights against the Ottoman center. They attempted to overrun the Janissary infantry and take Murad II prisoner, and almost succeeded, but in front of Murad's tent Vladislaus's horse either fell, and the king was slain.
Murad's casualties at Varna were so heavy, it was not until three days later that he realized he was victorious.
The Ottoman victory in Varna, followed by the Ottoman victory in the Second Battle of Kosovo in 1448, deterred the European states from sending any substantial military assistance to the Byzantines during the Ottoman Siege of Constantinople in 1453.
1447Wallachian campaign Kingdom of Hungary Wallachia
Ottoman Empire
Hungarian victory
John Hunyadi deprived Vlad II Dracul from the Wallachian throne, because Vlad II Dracul captured Hunyadi after the Battle of Varna.
Hunyadi placed Vladislav II on the throne of Wallachia.
Hunyadi also drove a small Ottoman army out of Wallachia.
1445–1448Hungarian–Ottoman War Kingdom of Hungary
Wallachia
Ottoman Empire
Wallachia (Switched to the Ottoman side on the third day of the battle)
Ottoman victory
1449–
1456
Hungarian–Ottoman War Kingdom of Hungary Ottoman EmpireHungarian victory
1458–1459Matthias I's war with Ján Jiskra Kingdom of HungaryJiskra's soldiersRoyal victory
1458–1465War in Bosnia Kingdom of Hungary Ottoman EmpirePartial Bosnian territory occupied by the Ottoman Empire.
1465–1471Hussite uprising in North-Hungary Kingdom of HungaryCzech hussite rebelsHungarian victory
1467Hungarian - Moldavian war Kingdom of Hungary MoldaviaBoth side claimed victory
1468–1478Bohemian War (1468–1478) Kingdom of Hungary Kingdom of BohemiaTreaty of Olmütz, Matthias became king of Bohemia
1471Hungarian – Polish war Kingdom of Hungary Kingdom of PolandHungarian victory
King Matthias I forced King Casimir IV to withdraw from Hungary
1471–1476Matthias's intervention in the Moldovian – Ottoman War Kingdom of Hungary
Moldavia
Ottoman EmpireAfter initial Hungarian-moldavian victories Hungary stopped the advocating of Moldavia, so Stephen III moldavian ruler became vasal of the Ottoman Empire.
1476Siege of Šabac / Szabács Kingdom of Hungary Ottoman EmpireKing Matthias besieged and seized Šabac, an important Ottoman border fort
1477–1488Austrian – Hungarian War Kingdom of Hungary Holy Roman EmpireDecisive Hungarian victory
At the end of the campaign, Hungary controlled all of Upper Austria as well, which remained under the control of King Matthias until his death, in 1490.
1479Battle of Breadfield / Kenyérmező Kingdom of Hungary Ottoman Empire
Wallachia
Hungarian victory
Hungary defeats the highly outnumbered Ottoman army in Transylvania. Ottoman casualties were extremely high. The battle was the most significant victory for the Hungarians against the raiding Ottomans, and as a result, the Ottoman Turks did not attack southern Hungary and Transylvania for many years thereafter.
1480–1481Battle of Otranto Kingdom of Hungary
Kingdom of Naples
Crown of Aragon
Kingdom of Sicily
Papal States
Ottoman EmpireChristian victory
1490–1491War of the Hungarian Succession Kingdom of Hungary
Kingdom of Bohemia
Kingdom of PolandTreaty
1490Battle of BonefieldThe supporters of John CorvinusThe supporters of Beatrice of NaplesThe supporters of Beatrice of Naples, Stephen Báthory and Paul Kinizsi defeated John Corvinus.
1491–1495Hungarian – Ottoman war Kingdom of Hungary Ottoman EmpireStalemate
1492–1493The Black Army's uprising Kingdom of HungaryBlack ArmyDestruction of the Black Army
1499–1504Hungarian – Ottoman war Kingdom of Hungary Ottoman EmpireStalemate
1512–1520Hungarian – Ottoman war Kingdom of Hungary Ottoman EmpireSuccessful defensive operations against the Ottomans
1514Peasants revolt, led by György Dózsa Kingdom of HungaryPeasantsRevolt suppressed
Royal power declined in favour of the magnates, who used their power to curtail the peasants' freedom. Gyorgy led a revolt but was eventually caught, tortured, and executed and became known as a martyr or a dangerous criminal.
1521–1526Hungarian-Ottoman War Kingdom of Hungary Ottoman EmpireHungarian defeat
Decisive downward turning point in Hungarian history.
Destruction of the Kingdom of Hungary as an independent and powerful European nation.
The territory of Hungary was split into two parts in 1529 and into three parts in 1541.
Around two hundred years of constant warfare with and between two empires, Habsburg and Ottoman, turned Hungary into a perpetual battlefield. The countryside was regularly ravaged by armies moving back and forth devastating the population.

Wars between 1526 and 1699

This section lists the wars in which Hungary was involved or where battles happened between the years 1526 and 1699. Many of these conflicts were part of larger struggles in Europe, affecting the lands that are now Hungary.

Wars between 1700 and 1900

This section lists the wars in which Hungary was involved between the years 1700 and 1900. Many of these conflicts were part of larger European wars and affected the history of Hungary and its people.

Wars in the 20th century

This section lists the wars where Hungary was involved or where battles happened on Hungarian land during the 1900s.

Wars in the 21st century

In the 21st century, Hungary has been involved in several conflicts and military operations. These include peacekeeping missions and efforts to support international alliances. While Hungary has not been a central part of major wars, its armed forces have participated in operations aimed at maintaining peace and security around the world.

Related articles

This article is a child-friendly adaptation of the Wikipedia article on List of wars involving Hungary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

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