On this day in 1380, a
#Russian army under Grand Prince
#Dmitri of
#Moscow defeats a
#Mongol force at the Battle of
#Kulikovo. This is the first time that any
#European army managed to defeat a Mongol field army in pitched battle.
The
#painting below depicts a famous story which holds that before the battle started, a Mongol champion challenged any Russian to face him in
#singlecombat. A Russian monk charged out at him, and the two men collided at full speed, spearing and killing each other instantly.