Historical Notes
In 1443, Vladislas III, King of Hungary and Poland, signed a very favorable treaty with the Ottoman Sultan Murad II. Though inexperienced, he was fortunate to have Janos Hunyadi as his general, and the treaty had been forged through Hungarian victories on the field of battle. But soon the young king was swayed by the Papacy's Cardinal Cesarini that a treaty with the infidel need not be honored. With the campaign renewed, the crusading army of Hungarians, Poles, Frenchmen, Walachians, and Bohemian Hussite mercenaries soon found itself face to face with a larger Ottoman force led by Murad himself.
Near Varna, a port on the Black Sea, the crusaders formed up with Vlad Dracul and his Walachians on the left, the King and Hunyadi with their contingents in the center, and Hungarian and French knights with supporting cavalry on the right. A wagon fortress (possibly mobile) was formed behind the center.
The Sultan, his Janissaries, and the Ottoman artillery manned a ditch and rampart in the center, with skirmishing foot screening their position. Court cavalry was in support, with feudal cavalry on both the left and right.
The historical battle was desperately fought, with Christian victory all but assured, the King and his Polish retainers launched a frenzied assault on the Ottoman rampart.
The impetuous young ruler was killed after a fierce struggle, and the triumphant display of his head on a spear proved to be the difference. The crusading army disentegrated.

Pennant
Murad II
Ottoman Sultan
Command level 5 ![]()
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War Council level 0
Standard
Vladislas III
King of Hungary
Command level 5 ![]()
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War Council level 0
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Victory Conditions
6 Banners
Briefing
Due to the nature of the armies involved, this was largely a mounted affair. As with all my scenarios, be prepared to improvise with regard to troop requirements.
Special Rules
Both the King's and the Sultan's positions are marked with badges. They must stay with the unit with which they begin the game, and each of these units gains an extra figure. If their unit is lost, the respective leader is also considered lost, and their opponent scores two victory banners instead of one.