John Hunyadi

John Hunyadi (c. 1406–1456) was Hungary's foremost commander against the Ottomans. He learned warfare on Hungary's southern frontier. Made Voivode of Transylvania in 1441, he routed Ottoman raiders in 1442 and led the Long Campaign across the Balkans in 1443–1444, before defeat at Varna in 1444. He ruled as regent of Hungary for Ladislaus V from 1446 to 1453.

In 1456 he repelled Sultan Mehmed II's assault on Belgrade, then died of plague in the camp weeks later. His son became King Matthias Corvinus.