Battle of Messinopolis explained

Conflict:Battle of Mosynopolis
Partof:Bulgarian–Latin wars
Date:4 September 1207
Place:Mosynopolis, close to Komotini
Result:Bulgarian victory
Combatant1:Bulgarian Empire
Combatant2:Latin Empire
Commander1:Unknown
Strength1:Larger force
Strength2:Unknown
Casualties1:Unknown
Casualties2:Heavy

The Battle of Mosynopolis (Bulgarian: Битка при Месинопол) took place on 4 September 1207, at Mosynopolis near the town of Komotini in contemporary Greece, and was fought between the Bulgarians and the Latin Empire. It resulted in a Bulgarian victory.

While the armies of the Bulgarian emperor Kaloyan were besieging Odrin, Boniface of Montferrat, King of Thessalonica, launched attacks towards Bulgaria from Serres. His cavalry reached Messinopolis at 5 days raid to the east of Serres, but in the mountainous terrain around the town his army was attacked by a larger force composed mainly of local Bulgarians. The battle began in the Latin rear guard and Boniface managed to repulse the Bulgarians, but while he was chasing them he was killed by an arrow, and soon the crusaders were defeated. His head was sent to Kaloyan, who immediately organized a campaign against Boniface's capital of Thessalonica. However, Kaloyan was murdered by conspirators during the siege, and the grieved Bulgarians raised the siege.