The Battle of Samobor in 1441

After the death of King Albrecht Habsburg in 1439, a fight for the succession to the throne began throughout Croatia and Hungary. Ulrik II of Celje with the military leader, Czech mercenary Ivan Vitovac stood by Elizabeth, and Stjepan Banić Lendavski stood by King Vladislav Jagelović. Two years later, these armies clashed near Samobor on Pepelnica, on March 1, 1441, and the fierce battle ended with the victory of Vitovac, who captured the general Banić and obtained considerable booty. However, Queen Elizabeth died in 1442, forcing Ulrik II to recognize Vladislav III as king and to release all prisoners.

WHAT AWAITS YOU?

Every year, medieval groups and extras dressed in replica armor from the 15th century will take care of the most faithful reconstruction of the battle, and all of this is organized by the Samobor Museum, the Tourist Board of the City of Samobor, the Knights of Zelingrad and the Association for the Revival of Samobor's History. A wagon camp surrounded by fortifications is set up on the Vugrinščak meadow, with knights, swordsmen and archers, as well as combat devices such as catapults, ballistae or fireballs.

About 400 participants take part in the event, including about 100 knights in armor. Some of the associations that cherish the medieval tradition are returning to the staging of the Battle of Samobor, and some have been participating in these events regularly since 2008. These are, among others, the Knights of Zelingrad, the Order of the Silver Dragon, the Golden Chalice, the Medieval Group Celjani, the Order of the Guardians of the City of Zagreb, the Koprivnica Musketeers and Haramijes, and the Revived History from Samobor.

In the morning, drummers shout the proclamation of the Magistrate in the city, warning the inhabitants of the coming danger, which is why they should take shelter under the walls of the old city until the battle is over. Before the battle, the audience will be able to hear a conversation between the judge, the notary, the barman, the priest and the village servant, who will evoke the atmosphere of that time and introduce them to the event.

The original initiator of the Battle of Samobor in 1441 was Ivanka Brekalo, a long-time member of the Matica Hrvatska branch in Samobor, and members of the association still participate in the event today. Craftsmen and their products are presented at the fair: hat maker, basket maker, bread maker, herbalist, medicine man, blacksmith, wooden swords, shields, medieval precious stones, blackberry wine, knight's equipment, etc.