(Portrait of Charlemagne by Albrecht Dürer (1471–1528), [Public Domain] via Creative
Commons)
Charlemagne (r. 768-814) can
often be viewed as a bright, radiant light in the ruthless Dark Ages. His rule
was usually just, and he pushed the people of his empire to renew their
interest in art and education. For the most part, Charlemagne is remembered as
a ruler who was both effective in management and beneficial to his people.
Yet, as almost the entirety
of Charlemagne’s reign was spent in continuous waves of warfare, his actions
caused incalculable quantities of bloodshed. As the king of the Franks and the
first emperor of the Holy Roman Empire, threats to his realm were constant and
his own ambitions often brought about violence.
One of the darkest marks on
Charlemagne’s record occurred during the Frankish campaign against the Saxons. He
invaded Saxony in 772 CE, taking control of the region. With victory came
plundering, enslavement and the smashing of pagan shrines. Yet, the victory was
not complete. Even though Saxon lands were occupied by Frankish forces, the
fighting spirit of the Saxons was not yet broken—it would take thirty years of
war for the Franks to suppress the Saxons.
Ten years into the Frankish
occupation of Saxony, a Saxon leader named Widukind began instigating rebellion
against Charlemagne. He managed to incite a rebellious spirit back into many of
the Saxons who had previously surrendered to the Franks. With Widukind leading
the way, the rebellious Saxon army attacked a nearby Frankish army. Despite the
Frankish force being led by at least two of Charlemagne’s trusted officers, the
Saxons won a decisive victory. The two liegemen of Charlemagne who led the
Frankish army were both killed in the battle.
When Charlemagne heard of the
revolt in Saxony and the deaths of his two lieutenants, the king mobilized his
forces and marched against the Saxons. With a massive army of Franks bearing
down on them, the Saxon people betrayed the rebels, causing thousands of men to
fall into Charlemagne’s custody. According to the Royal Frankish Annals, Charlemagne
was not in a forgiving mood—he had 4,500 of the Saxon rebels executed,
supposedly on a single day, in 782 CE. The event is now remembered as the
Bloody Verdict of Verden.
Written by C. Keith Hansley.
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