811:

Battle of Pliska

After laying siege to the Byzantines the entire night, the Battle of Pliska began. King Krum of Bulgaria had been raiding the territory of Byzantine emperor, Nicephorus I since 808. Finally Nicephorus had enough of Krum's expansionist raids, and assembled 70,000 men to deal with Krum permanently. For a while, he had Krum on the run, and even burned down Krum's palace in Pliska. While Krum retreated to regroup, Nicephorus slew women, children and old people, burned the capital, and then arrogantly proceeded down the Vurbitsa pass, a steep valley north of Pliska. Krum seized his moment, and, with vastly inferior numbers, besieged the Byzantines. In the morning the battle began. After a three-day stand-off, the Bulgars swept into the valley and massacred the demoralized Byzantines. Nicephorus's skull was mounted in silver and used by Krum as a drinking cup.

This event was submitted by John Herrmann. Thanks, John!