Biography of John Hunyadi: Hungary's Crusader (1407-1456)

During the early decades of the 15th century, King Sigismund of Hungary faced turmoil in virtually every corner of his realm. In Bohemia, the Hussite Wars waged on, petty noble revolts pestered Transylvania, and the Hungarian sphere of influence in the Balkan was in jeopardy thanks to constant Ottoman raids and invasions. During this tumultuous time, one Hungarian military commander did his best to stop the Ottoman campaigns, leading to his name being widely recognised all over Europe. Janos Hunyadi rose from modest origins to one of the most successful military commanders of his day.

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0:00 Introduction

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The content of this video covers events, people or concepts via a lecture-style presentation that is educational and historical in nature. Every video is original content by House of History. The events relating to conflict in this video are portrayed in their historical context without either value judgment or an ideological message attached to it. There is no intent to shock, upset or disgust. The goal of my channel is to make interesting lecture-style videos, no more, no less.

Janos was born in a humble Wallachian family. He first appears in historical sources as the son of Vajk, who in 1409 was elevated to nobility status by King Sigismund and awarded the Hunyad castle and Hunyad county in Transylvania. It is where he got his last name from, Hunyadi. Throughout the years, more documents popped up, sometimes referring to Janos as ‘the Wallachian’, mainly showcasing loans made to the king who was perpetually short of cash.

As a young man, Hunyadi was taken to Sigismund’s court as ‘knight of the household’, with some contemporaries claiming he was the King’s illegitimate son. Educated by Italian mercenaries and eagerly following the novel Hussite methods of warfare, he exemplified great skill and strategic insight.

Meanwhile, a struggle for power in the Balkan between the Ottomans and Hungary began taking shape. This conflict would come to dominate Hunyadi’s entire life, but it already started years before his birth. In 1396 Sultan Bayezid I’s forces defeated a multi-ethnic Crusader’s army at Nicopolis, inflicting severe losses and gaining a permanent foothold in south-east Europe.
The decades after, gradual Ottoman expansion continued as the frontiers of the Kingdom came under direct threat. In December 1437, Sigismund passed away in Bohemia. Having no son, his son-in-law Albert Habsburg succeeded him. This new King too recognised Hunyadi’s strategic insight and tasked him with defending the southern frontiers, raising him to the ban of Severin, a large territory south of Transylvania. In 1439 the new despot of Serbia, Durad Brankovic, faced a new Ottoman invasion. After the successful besiegement of the capital Smedervo, he fled to Hungary. Commanding troops defending Hungary, Albert died of dysentery upon his return.

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[BatManSWG]

So many times, this great person fight alone the hordes of the ottomans . If plague didn't have catch him, I believe would have do great things to stop muslim expansion around Hungary.
Big respect to John Hunyadi from Greece

[RyanGray]

Criminally underrated channel. Share this guy with your historicalliy inclined friends he deserves it.

[Artur_M.]

Nice video! I'm certainly looking forward to the sequel. Just yesterday I listened to the episode of the Almost Forgotten podcast about Matthias Corvinus.

[illyrianshield]

János Hunyadi is a hero in Albania. On his honour one of the main streets in Tirana holds his name. 🇭🇺 🇦🇱

[balazsnagy]

János Hunyadi was also called the lightning of the armies by his enemies! If we look at his strategy this is perfectly true for him!

[KosovanWarrior]

Kosova Loves Hungary.❤️‍🔥
Respect to Janos Hunyadi❤️

[randomname]

He is also a hero to Bulgarians as well . My home town has a boulevard named after him to honour the memory

[knightspearhead]

Hungary's history is so interesting

[histori_shqiptare]

Thank you hungarianian and hunyadi that support scanderbeg from albania🙏

[GreatPolishWingedHussars]

János Hunyadi was a Hungarian hero and a friend of the Poles like many Hungarians! Always thumbs up for Hungarian heroes from Poland!

[hdbhighdefinition]

Skenderbeg was the only true friend and supporter of Hunyadi

[milandobai]

Thank you for this video.
Very great. Hunyadi János and Hunyadi Mátyás saved Europe and they nationality.

[levi]

Thank you so much for this awesome video about Hunyadi and about the medieval Kingdom of Hungary (1001 - 1526) which so few people even know about even though it was the bulwark defending Europe from Ottoman expansion for so long. As Pope Pius stated in a letter: "This kingdom is the shield of all Christendom under cover of
which we have hitherto all been safe. But if the road is thus
opened to the barbarians, destruction will break in over all” – Pope Pius VI, 1463,
Excerpt from a letter warning Frederick Habsburg III to cease his scheming to steal the throne of Hungary from young King Matthias. I hope you do a video about King Matthias- such a fascinating figure.

[ilayohana]

Could you make a video on matthias corvinus? You made his life sound interesting.

[anonymoustopsecret]

Great Hungarian warrior. I have seen many Hungarians respecting our great Albanian leader and warrior Gjergj Kastrioti (Skanderbeg). Hunyadi, Kastrioti 🇭🇺🇦🇱

[ilayohana]

Very high quality content, i hope this channel explodes in popularity.

[marshaldillon]

I thank you for your story’s They never taught this kind of History in America. I really do appreciate your work.

[Aemilius]

John Hunyadi is actually a Hero in not just Hungary! But also Serbia, Bulgaria, and Romania!! 🛡️🗡️

[HistoriaenCeluloide]

Great video. Seen how you have developed your style, are you thinking about depicting and animate battles itself? 🧐

[dorka]

Thank you for recalling the story of my country! Köszönöm szépen hogy felidézte az országom sztoriját!🙂🇭🇺