The first great battle of the 15 Years’ War, the battle of Székesfehérvár

Absztrakt

The study deals with the beginnings of the Long War or 15 Years, War (1591/93-1606) between the Ottoman Empire and the Habsburg Empire in Hungary. After the defeat of Hasan Pasha of Bosnia at Sisak (June 22 1593), Sultan Murad III appointed commanderin- chief his Grand Vezier, Sinan Pasha and the war started. Sinan occupied Veszprém and Palota in the Transdanubian region in October and retired to winter quarters. The Habsburg troops, led by Ferdinand von Hardegg, commander of Győr unsuccesfully attacked Székesfehérvár at the end of October. Hasan Pasha, governor of Buda quickly arrived for the help of the fortress and fought a battle with the Christian army near Székesfehérvár (3 November). Although the Ottoman army was superior (15-20 thousand), the smaller (7-8 thousand) Hungarian, Austrian and Moravian troops, due to the brave attack of their cavalry (led by Miklós Pálffy, Ferenc Nádasdy etc.), won a great victory. The study analyzes the details of this battle.