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The Battle of Brenta
By Raider, 1 January 2007; Revised 1 January 2007
Category: Hungarian History
| In 895, the Magyar tribal federation launched the invasion of the Carpathian Basin and conquered its eastern half. Subsequent to that time, various tribal leaders organized campaigns for the western areas. The first major campaign was in 899, when Emperor Arnulf hired the Magyars as mercenaries against his rival, Berengar, the King of Italy.
The Magyar army of 5000 cavalrymen split into numerous groups and pillaged the Po Valley on their way to Pavia, where they united again. One of these groups unsuccesfully attempted siege of Venice. To counter this threat, Berengar amassed an army of 15 000 men. The Magyars pulled back to the east, pretending fear of the Italian army. Their leaders even asked for peace and free passing to Hungary. Berengar’s troop successfully fought against the rearguard of the Magyar army and drove them to the other coast of River Brenta. The Magyar messengers asked him only to keep their horses in return for his mercy. So Berengar thought he was in winning position and became overweening. The Italian knights leisurely camped for the night, pulled off their armor, and started to eat supper. At this time, the main forces of the Magyars attacked through the river and, at the same time, hidden Magyar troops attacked from the left and right side of the camp. These troops were hidden during the fighting with the rearguard. All in all, the Hungarians completely surprised and destroyed Berengar’s army. According to Liutprand of Cremona, the Magyars attacked so suddenly that some of the Italian soldiers died with food pinned on their throats. The Italian army was annihilated and the Magyars remained in Italy until the autumn of 900. When the Magyar ally, Emperor Arnulf, died in December 8, 899, the Magyars captured
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