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Battle on the Ice: Russian Prince of Novgorod Alexander Nevsky defeats the Teutonic Knights on the frozen Lake Peipus be

Battle on the Ice: Russian Prince of Novgorod Alexander Nevsky defeats the Teutonic Knights on the frozen Lake Peipus between Estonia and Russia

The Battle on the Ice, also known as the Battle of Lake Peipus, took place on 5 April 1242. It was fought on the frozen Lake Peipus when the united forces of the Republic of Novgorod and Vladimir-Suzdal, led by Prince Alexander Nevsky, emerged victorious against the forces of the Livonian Order and Bishopric of Dorpat, led by Bishop Hermann of Dorpat.

The outcome of the battle has been traditionally interpreted by Russian historiography as significant for the balance of power between Western Catholicism and Eastern Orthodox Christianity.

Historical Significance

The Battle on the Ice, also known as the Battle of Lake Peipus, took place on 5 April 1242.

Key People

Alexander Nevsky

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Events Before

  1. Mongolian armies rout the forces of Boleslaw IV at Chmielnik and sack and burn the city of Kraków to the ground

    Mongolian armies rout the forces of Boleslaw IV at Chmielnik and sack and burn the city of Kraków to the ground

  2. Battle of Liegnitz - Mongolian armies inflict one of the largest defeats in Polish history on Polish and Germans force l

    Battle of Liegnitz - Mongolian armies inflict one of the largest defeats in Polish history on Polish and Germans force led by Henry of Silesia with 20-25,000 killed or massacred, including Henry

  3. Battle of Mohi: Mongols led by Batu and Subedei defeat Hungarian King Béla IV in the major battle in during Mongolian in

    Battle of Mohi: Mongols led by Batu and Subedei defeat Hungarian King Béla IV in the major battle in during Mongolian invasion of Hungary, with 30,000 Hungarians slain

  4. First attack on the Jewish community of Frankfurt am Main, Germany

    First attack on the Jewish community of Frankfurt am Main, Germany

  5. Goffredo Castiglioni elected as Pope Coelestinus IV, lasts 17 days

    Goffredo Castiglioni elected as Pope Coelestinus IV, lasts 17 days

Events After

  1. Sinibaldo dei Fieschi elected as Pope Innocentius IV

    Pope Innocent IV (Latin: Innocentius IV; c. 1195 – 7 December 1254), born Sinibaldo Fieschi, was head of the Catholic Church and ruler of the Papal States from 25 June 1243 to his death in...

  2. Battle of Köse Dağ: Mongols under Baiju defeat Seljuk army of Sultan Kaykhusraw II during Mongol attacks in north east T

    Battle of Köse Dağ: Mongols under Baiju defeat Seljuk army of Sultan Kaykhusraw II during Mongol attacks in north east Turkey

  3. Duke Frederick II of Austria issues a charter extending rights and protection for Jews - 1st territorial ruler to claim

    Duke Frederick II of Austria issues a charter extending rights and protection for Jews - 1st territorial ruler to claim Jews as his own subjects [1]

  4. Khwarezmian Tatars sack Jerusalem, decimating the city's Christian population and driving out Jews

    Khwarezmian Tatars sack Jerusalem, decimating the city's Christian population and driving out Jews

  5. Thomas, the first known Bishop of Finland, is granted resignation after having confessed to torture and forgery

    Thomas, the first known Bishop of Finland, is granted resignation after having confessed to torture and forgery

More from the 1240s

Conquest of Seville occurs by Christian troops under King Ferdinand III of Castile after the city surrenders

Seville is the capital and largest city of the Spanish autonomous community of Andalusia and the province of Seville.

Mongols led by Batu Khan occupy and destroy Kyiv after an eight-day siege; out of 50,000 people in the city, only 2,000

Mongols led by Batu Khan occupy and destroy Kyiv after an eight-day siege; out of 50,000 people in the city, only 2,000 survive

Thomas, the first known Bishop of Finland, is granted resignation after having confessed to torture and forgery

Thomas, the first known Bishop of Finland, is granted resignation after having confessed to torture and forgery

The Servite Order is officially approved by Cardinal Raniero Capocci, papal legate in Tuscany

The Servite Order is officially approved by Cardinal Raniero Capocci, papal legate in Tuscany

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on April 5, 1242?
The Battle on the Ice, also known as the Battle of Lake Peipus, took place on 5 April 1242. It was fought on the frozen Lake Peipus when the united forces of the Republic of Novgorod and Vladimir-Suzdal, led by Prince Alexander Nevsky, emerged victorious against the forces of the Livonian Order and Bishopric of Dorpat, led by Bishop Hermann of Dorpat. The outcome of the battle has been traditionally interpreted by Russian historiography as significant for the balance of power between Western Catholicism and Eastern Orthodox Christianity.
Why is Battle on the Ice: Russian Prince of Novgorod Alexander Nevsky defeats the Te... significant?
The Battle on the Ice, also known as the Battle of Lake Peipus, took place on 5 April 1242.
Who was involved in Battle on the Ice: Russian Prince of Novgorod Alexander Nevsky defeats the Te...?
Key figures include Alexander Nevsky.

Explore More

April 5 in HistoryYear 1242