Battle of Adrianople 1205

• • Battle of Adrianople (1205): A Summary**

The Battle of Adrianople occurred in April 1205 between the Latin Empire, led by Emperor Baldwin I, and the Bulgarian Empire under Tsar Kaloyan. The Latin army, confident after their conquest of Constantinople, faced a cunning ambush set by the Bulgarians near Adrianople. Utilizing wolf pits—hidden trenches designed to topple horses—the Bulgarians disrupted the Latin knights' charge, causing widespread chaos.

Baldwin arrived late with reinforcements but was unable to break through the Bulgarian encirclement. Kaloyan's forces effectively surrounded Baldwin, using polearms to unhorse him and other knights, leading to their defeat. The battle resulted in significant losses for the Latin army, with Baldwin captured and most of his forces annihilated.

Post-battle, Baldwin was imprisoned in Veliko Tarnovo, where he died under unclear circumstances. His brother Henry assumed regency, while Kaloyan's victory earned him the title "Roman-slayer," solidifying Bulgarian dominance and marking the decline of the Latin Empire.

Historical sources include works by DeVries and Zlatarski, providing a well-documented account of this pivotal conflict.