The European allies first conquered troops a Vidin and Rahova. They then pressed forward and laid siege to Nicopolis, the main Turkish stronghold on the Danube River. The battle was a very poorly planned event and many allied troops were either slaughtered or captured. While the European allies waited for the well-stocked, well-fortified town to submit, Bayezid formed a counter-attack. He marched from Constantinople with his troops and established his army on a hillside several miles from Nicopolis. They then slaughtered most of the European crusaders. Those who survived were pushed back to the Danube river. The battle, although not considered a success, helped to end the second Bulgarian Empire. Additionally, Bayezid’s victory discouraged the formation of future European coalitions against them. It also maintained the Ottoman pressure on Constantinople, allowing them to tighten their control over the Balkans. Overall, the Ottomans became a greater menace to central Europe. On the European side, only about 300 of 6000 troops survived the battle. Despite Jean the Fearless’ personal bravery in battle, his impetuous leadership ended in disaster for the European expedition. He was even taken prisoner by the Ottomans and released a year later against an enormous ransom paid by his father, Philip the
The European allies first conquered troops a Vidin and Rahova. They then pressed forward and laid siege to Nicopolis, the main Turkish stronghold on the Danube River. The battle was a very poorly planned event and many allied troops were either slaughtered or captured. While the European allies waited for the well-stocked, well-fortified town to submit, Bayezid formed a counter-attack. He marched from Constantinople with his troops and established his army on a hillside several miles from Nicopolis. They then slaughtered most of the European crusaders. Those who survived were pushed back to the Danube river. The battle, although not considered a success, helped to end the second Bulgarian Empire. Additionally, Bayezid’s victory discouraged the formation of future European coalitions against them. It also maintained the Ottoman pressure on Constantinople, allowing them to tighten their control over the Balkans. Overall, the Ottomans became a greater menace to central Europe. On the European side, only about 300 of 6000 troops survived the battle. Despite Jean the Fearless’ personal bravery in battle, his impetuous leadership ended in disaster for the European expedition. He was even taken prisoner by the Ottomans and released a year later against an enormous ransom paid by his father, Philip the