Siege of Vienna (1485)
| Siege of Vienna | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part of the Austrian-Hungarian War (1477–1488) | |||||||
Matthias marching into Vienna | |||||||
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| Belligerents | |||||||
| Holy Roman Empire | Kingdom of Hungary | ||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
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Hanns von Wulfestorff Caspar von Lamberg[c] Bartholomeus von Starhemberg[c] Andreas Gall[c] Ladislaus Prager[c] Alexander Schiffer[c] Tiburtius von Linzendorf[c] Leonhard Fruhmann[c] Johann Karrer[c] |
Matthias Corvinus[d] Peter Geréb de Vingard [d] Stephen Zápolya[d] Stephen V Báthory Laurence of Ilok[d] | ||||||
| Units involved | |||||||
| Imperial Army | Black Army of Hungary | ||||||
| Strength | |||||||
|
2,000 foot soldiers 1,000 cavalry 20,000 civilians Reinforcements: 200 cavalry 300 fusiliers 60 archers[a] |
10,000 foot soldiers 18,000 cavalry | ||||||
Location within Austria Siege of Vienna (1485) (Central Europe) | |||||||
The siege of Vienna was a decisive siege in 1485 of the Austrian–Hungarian War. It was a consequence of the ongoing conflict between Frederick III and Matthias Corvinus. After the fall of Vienna it was merged with Hungary from 1485 to 1490. Matthias Corvinus also moved his royal court to the newly occupied city. However Vienna did not become the capital of Hungary.
Vienna was isolated in 1483–84 as surrounding strongholds fell, and the Battle of Leitzersdorf opened the way for a full siege. Despite severe famine, Frederick III briefly relieved the city via the Danube. After taking several defensive stronghold in 1485, Matthias encircled Vienna, bombarded it with siege guns, and advanced from Leopoldstadt. The defenders fought hard but starvation proved decisive; by April supplies collapsed and on 1 June the city surrendered in exchange for preserved privileges. Matthias entered triumphantly and ruled Vienna leniently, granting tax exemptions and keeping most councillors in place. Hungary controlled Vienna and Upper Austria until Matthias’s death in 1490.