Battle of Călugăreni

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The Battle of Călugăreni was one of the most important battles in the history of mediaeval Romania. It took place on 13 August 1595 between the Wallachian army led by Michael the Brave and the Ottoman army led by Sinan Pasha.

Michael was also helped by the Hungarian commander Albert Király. The Wallachian army numbered about 25,000^{[citation needed]}, while the Ottomans had more than 150,000 men^{[citation needed]} (many if not most of whom did actually not take part in this battle). The beginning of the battle found the Ottomans rushing through the muddy marshes of the river Neajlov, and capturing Michael's cannons, with the janissaries charging from behind and routing the Wallachians. However, Michael set a personal example and, leading the cavalry, rallied the Wallachians and successfully counter-attacked, re-capturing the lost cannons, and driving the Ottomans to run over a small bridge in the marshes. While crossing the bridge, panic broke out in the Ottoman ranks, and Sinan Pasha fell down, losing two of his teeth and being carried back into the camp by one of his slaves.

The casualties are estimated at least 1,000 men lost by the Wallachians^{[citation needed]}, while the Ottoman casualties were about between 10,000 and 15,000^{[citation needed]}. Despite the victory Michael, having too few troops to mount a full scale battle, had reatreated to the winter camp of Stoeneşti (hoping to get reinforcements from Transylvania or the Austrian Empire), and left the country in the hand of the Turks.

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