Batu Khan, grandson of Genghis, led
the western campaign in the late 1230s.
The Kipchak steppe was conquered first,
then the Russian principalities in frost-bound recedes.
Ryazan fell in 1237, burned.
Vladimir in 1238, sacked.
Kiev in 1240, reduced to rubble
with only two hundred houses un-cracked.
The "Tatar Yoke" began. For two centuries
the Russian princes would pay tribute,
travel to the Golden Horde's capital
at Sarai on the Volga, submit their contribute.
Moscow, a minor town among many,
proved useful as tax-collector for the Horde.
Its princes accumulated wealth and favor,
and would eventually rise to become lord.
After Russia, Batu pushed into Poland and Hungary
in 1241. At Legnica, a Polish-German
army was destroyed by Mongol feigned retreat.
At Mohi, the Hungarian army was stern
defeated, King Béla IV fleeing for his life.
The Mongols reached the Adriatic Sea.
Vienna was in the plans. Europe expected
annihilation — but then reprieve came free.
Great Khan Ögedei died in Karakorum that December.
Batu had to return east for the succession quarrel.
He never came back west. Europe was saved
by a drunkard's death in a distant Mongol barrel.
The Mongols had demonstrated that European
knightly armies were not equipped to face
steppe-warfare tactics. Composite bows, feigned retreat,
mobile light cavalry, coordinated attack pace.
Europe would learn these lessons slowly.
Later, in the Hundred Years' War, the English
longbow would answer in similar logic.
Warfare was about to change its language.
The Golden Horde established itself on the
lower Volga and ruled the western steppes.
For two and a half centuries, from the Black Sea
to the Urals, the Horde kept rule of its steps.
The Russian princes would eventually unite
under Moscow to throw off this yoke.
That story is chapter 222. For now, mark
how the eastern horsemen made Europe choke.
Stand.