Battle of Yamen
Yamen, Guangdong, China
What happened
Yuan dynasty commanders Zhang Hongfan and Li Heng fought the last fleet of the Song dynasty, led by Admiral Zhang Shijie and Prime Minister Lu Xiufu, who were protecting the child emperor Zhao Bing. The Mongol-led Yuan dynasty was conquering China, and the last Song court fled south to the coast. At Yamen in Guangdong, the Song chained about 1,000 ships together in a bay, with the young emperor's ship at the centre. The Yuan blocked the bay and cut off fresh water and wood, then attacked the weakened fleet from several sides and destroyed it.
Why it matters
Result: Yuan victory Death of Song emperor Zhao Bing Fall of the Song dynasty. Leaders: Zhang Shijie / Lu Xiufu against Zhang Hongfan. Why it matters: The battle ended the Song dynasty. The Yuan dynasty under Kublai Khan gained control of all of China.
What came next
The young emperor was lost at sea, and the House of Zhao lost power over China. The Yuan dynasty then ruled China for 97 years, until the Ming dynasty.
Did you know?
Yuan forces played festive music so the Song would think they were having a banquet, then attacked when the Song let their guard down.
Timeline
- 19 March 1279 CEThe Yuan destroy the Song fleet at Yamen.
- 1279 CEThe Song dynasty ends and the Yuan rule all of China.