ORDER OF BATTLE // April 16, 1241
Battle of Legnica
Estimated force strength by side, with confidence labels per surviving record.
Forces engaged
2 sides catalogued · combined 5,000–16,000 estimated
Mongol Empire
3,000–8,000
Medium-confidence figure
Poland
2,000–8,000
Medium-confidence figure
Battle context
The Battle of Legnica was a decisive engagement of the Mongol invasion of Poland, pitting Mongol forces under commanders including Baidar, Kadan, and Orda Khan against a combined European force led by Henry II of Poland. The battle was fought at the village of Legnickie Pole, approximately 10 kilometres southeast of Legnica in the Duchy of Silesia. The European force, which included Polish, Silesian, and allied contingents under Henry II and Mieszko II among others, was drawn into confrontation with a Mongol army that formed part of the broader westward campaign coordinated under Subutai. The engagement at Legnica, alongside near-simultaneous Mongol operations further south, demonstrated the reach and coordination of the Mongol invasion across Central Europe and the inability of fragmented European forces to mount an effective combined resistance.
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