Władysław III of Poland
Relations between Bulgaria and Poland date back to the Middle Ages. In 1444, a coalition of Central and Eastern European countries led by Poland and King Władysław III of Poland fought in the Battle of Varna against the Ottoman Empire, in an attempt to repel the Ottoman invasion of Europe and liberate the already conquered nations of Southeast Europe, including Bulgaria. Bulgarian insurgents of Fruzhin fought alongside Poles in hope of restoring independence, however, the battle ended in the defeat of the coalition army and the death of the Polish king.