Battles & Wars: 1401-1600

The Battle of Shrewsbury was fought on July 21, 1403, between the forces of King Henry IV and Sir Henry "Hotspur" Percy. Resulting from the Percy family's failure to receive lands and money from Henry following his rise to the throne, the Battle of Shrewsbury was won by royal forces and resulted in the Hotspur's death.

The Battle of Grunwald (Tannenberg) was fought July 15, 1410 during the Polish–Lithuanian–Teutonic War. On of the largest battles fought in medieval Europe, Grunwald saw the Teutonic knights defeated. The Battle of Grunwald shifted the balance of power in Eastern Europe and was later used for propaganda purposes.

The Fall of Constantinople took place in 1453 after the Ottomans successfully laid siege to the city. The loss of Constantinople marked the end of the Byzantine Empire. The siege of Constantinople was conducted by Mehmet II and lasted nearly two months.

The Battle of Nancy was fought January 5, 1477, and was the decisive battle of the Burgundian Wars. Besieging Nancy, Duke Charles the Bold of Burgundy was attacked by a large relief force led by Duke Rene of Lorraine. Overwhelming the Bugundian position outside Nancy, Rene's forces drove off the enemy, killing Charles in the process.

The Battle of Ravenna was fought on April 11, 1512, during the War of the League of Cambrai. Moving to secure northern Italy, French troops defeated Spanish and Papal forces near Ravenna. In the fighting, the French commander, Gaston de Foix was killed.

The Battle of Flodden or Flodden Field was fought on September 9, 1513, between England and Scotland. Allied with the French, King James IV marched south to invade England. Clashing near Branxton and Flodden, the English won a decisive victory and killed James. The Battle of Flodden was the largest ever battle between the two countries.

The Battle of Wayna Daga was fought in 1543, near Lake Tana in Ethiopia. Following the defeat of the Portuguese at Wolfa, Emperor Galawdewos rallied the survivors and marched on the camp of Ahmad ibn Ibrihim al-Ghazi. Fighting at Wayna Daga, Galawdewos was able to defeat the invading Ahmad.

The Battle of Curlew Pass was fought on August 15, 1599, during the Nine Years' War. Advancing to relieve the siege of Collooney Castle, English troops led by Conyers Clifford were ambushed and routed as they moved through Curlew Pass. The defeat at the Battle of Curlew Pass marked a low point in Elizabeth's war in Ireland.

This site provides detailed information regarding the 1429 siege of Orleans and Joan of Arc's campaign to relieve the city.

A comprehensive look at the Wars of the Roses (1455-1487) between the Houses of Lancaster and York in England.