The Hungarian military leader John Hunyadi becomes the key architect of campaigns against the Ottoman Empire.
In 1441 he scores a pitched battle victory at Semendria over Ishak Bey.
With the help of knights from western Europe, Hunyadi succeeds in capturing Nis on November 3, 1443, defeating another Turkish army as they cross the Balkan Mountains, then scores another victory on Christmas Day.
Because supplies for the Crusader army are low, Hunyadi concludes a ten-year peace treaty with Murad II, presumably on Hunyadi's terms, for it is the triumphant Hungarian that enters Buda in February 1444.
Ten years is the maximum time permitted by Islamic law for a treaty with an "infidel".
The peace is short-lived, as Cardinal Julian Cesarini incits the Hungarians to break the treaty and attack the Turks once more.
However, much of the Crusader armies' strength has been reduced due to the loss (by defection) of Serbia, Albania and the Byzantine Empire.
