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History of the Franks

St Gregory of Tours, tr. Dalton, 1927

Book 4, 14. How Lothar Marched a Second Time Against the Saxons

After the death of Theudebald,¹ Lothar succeeded to the land of the Franks, and was making his progress round it when he was informed by his people that the Saxons were once more² in a mad ferment and in open rebellion against him; further, that they haughtily refused to pay the tribute which they had to bring every year. The king was angered at the news, and marched against them. But when he was almost at their boundaries, the Saxons sent envoys to him with this message: ‘It is not our will to presume against thee, nor would we refuse our usual tribute, which we have paid to thy brothers and thy nephews; if thou demandest it, we will pay yet more. One thing only we entreat, that there be peace, and that there be no conflict between thine army and our people.’ At this King Lothar said to those about him: ‘These men speak well; let us not advance upon them, lest haply we sin against God.’ But they answered: ‘We know that they are liars, and that they will in no wise fulfil their promise; let us therefore go fall upon them.’ Again the Saxons sought peace, offering the half of their possessions. And Lothar said to his followers: ‘I entreat you, let these men be, lest the wrath of God be aroused against us.’ But they would not be satisfied. A third time the Saxons came, offering their raiment, their cattle, and all their movable property, saying: ‘Take all these things, with the half of our lands; only leave our wives and our children in freedom, and let there be no war between us.’ But even this would not satisfy the Franks. Then King Lothar said: ‘Desist, I pray you, desist from your purpose. The right is not on our side; go not forth to a war in which ye shall meet your ruin. But if go ye will, I for my part shall not follow.’ Then, furious with the king, they rushed upon him, rending his tent and roughly abusing him; they even dragged him off by force, and would have slain him if he had delayed to go with them. King Lothar, seeing how matters stood, went with them against his will. When the battle was joined, the Franks were smitten by the enemy with great slaughter, and there fell so many upon both sides that hardly might the dead be reckoned up or numbered. Then Lothar, greatly troubled in spirit, entreated peace, declaring that he had attacked against his own desire. Peace was granted, and he returned home.

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