Byzantine Empire Palaiologos dynasty

Turning Point in Byzantine-Angevin Conflicts
The entrance of the citadel of Berat, with the 13th-century Byzantine church of the Holy Trinity. ©Image Attribution forthcoming. Image belongs to the respective owner(s).
1280 Jan 1

Turning Point in Byzantine-Angevin Conflicts

Berat, Albania

The siege of Berat in Albania by the forces of the Angevin Kingdom of Sicily against the Byzantine garrison of the city took place in 1280–1281. Berat was a strategically important fortress, whose possession would allow the Angevins access to the heartlands of the Byzantine Empire. A Byzantine relief force arrived in spring 1281, and managed to ambush and capture the Angevin commander, Hugo de Sully. Thereupon, the Angevin army panicked and fled, suffering heavy losses in killed and wounded as it was attacked by the Byzantines. This defeat ended the threat of a land invasion of the Byzantine Empire, and along with the Sicilian Vespers marked the end of the Western threat to reconquer Byzantium.

Last Updated: Sat Apr 27 2024

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