921 The ambition of Willowdorf, the great-grandson of Widukind, who wants to restore the glory of the true Duke of Saxony
A cavalry army ran swaggeringly from the far south to the north. Lying in front of this army was a very narrow rammed earth wall and even a deep trench under the wall.
Obviously this wall has not been maintained for a long time, but now it still poses a serious obstacle to the cavalry troops.
It is of course possible but not necessary to dig the soil to fill the trench and create a large slope for the cavalry to pass directly.
Looking at this wall, a young Frank nobleman named Liudolf pulled the reins back and forth in circles.
"Sir," the retinue suggested, "As long as the trench is filled up, our war horses will directly scrape over the wall. It will not be able to stop us."
"Stupid! I don't have time to linger here. Let's go! The whole army goes east to Schleswig." He muttered again, "I hope there are still our defenders there."
In this cavalry team, an old man with a gray beard wearing a black robe and a white beard rode a simple carriage closely following the young nobleman and his five hundred cavalrymen.
The old man is none other than Eskil, the "Northern Sage" who has experienced ups and downs in recent years...
He holds a gold-plated cross in the shape of a wooden staff, and a gold-plated cross inlaid with rubies is hung outside his black robe.
A nobleman, a saint, one young and one old, they know very well that after crossing this wall, they will reach the Danish world, and they also know that today's Denmark has changed dramatically.
Now, the time is spring of 839 AD.
In this year, Rurik of Rus's successfully completed the king's ceremony in Uppsala, north of Lake Mälaren. The ceremony marked the birth of a powerful Rus' kingdom, and Denmark launched a massive campaign against Götalland.
The offensive strategic plan began to be implemented.
In the vast land south of the Baltic Sea, the situation became increasingly chaotic. For example, the civil war between the three Frankish princes over the power of the king fully unfolded with the death of the late king Louis the Pious, and the civil war became increasingly bloody.
King Horik of Denmark, who was defeated by the Rus' army the previous year, almost lost his pants. Reality forced him to get military support from the Franks, so he betrayed Odin again and began to believe in God again.
No one can believe that this kind of person can be pious.
Prince Ludwig of the Franks never asked him to be pious. He only asked that the Danes in the north would not cause trouble to him during this special period. For Ludwig, the trouble was not just that he and his fourth brother Charles collaborated to "cut down the vassal"
Lothair, the eldest brother of the Frankish king, armed himself to demand an explanation. There were also many unstable nobles in his own fiefdom. Some people with special status were best transferred to distant places, while their cronies were transferred to the front lines of the civil war.
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King Horik of Denmark was demoted to earl, and he was legally a vassal of Ludwig. However, for this vassal, Frank troops were needed to march to Denmark and stare at this man with swords and axes to intimidate him from moving again.
The thoughts of rebellion. Who is the commander of the Frankish army? The prince named the young Count Liudolf to take his personal army to the north, while his fief and family were temporarily monitored by Prince Ludwig!
Count Liudov had nowhere to talk about his anguish. Thanks to the prince's communication with the Archbishop of Reims, Eskil, who had suffered a severe mental shock and had retired, was forced to come out again. Liudov asked Eskil
I confided my frustrations, but got this reply: "Maybe this is an opportunity for you. You are a Saxon! I shouldn't think about these things, but you are a Saxon."
Eskil really didn't say much, or he just wanted to be the "Riddler".
Liudov was not a fool, because Eskil himself was a Saxon, and everyone was the same.
Considering his ancestry, Liudof suddenly realized that his current trip to Denmark might be an opportunity.
From the Reims cathedral, to the Detmold (Dortmold) monastery (in Liudov's fief), then through the ruins of Bremen, and then through the still intact Hamburg Castle. After all, this saint
Still unable to let go of his obsession with entering Denmark to spread the gospel, the situation in the north is now chaotic and complicated. Although there are many crises, the war has given missionaries great opportunities.
Robert, Count of Hamburg, entertained the army, which was eager to reach the border.
He arranged a banquet, and considering that the visitor turned out to be Vidukind's great-grandson, Count Ludolf of the West, the banquet had to be grand.
What's more, Eskil, who originally announced that he would never come to the north again, came again this time, and Robert felt that there would be big events in the future.
The priests were all ascetics, and it was enough to give them black bread and water. Eskil himself did not force the count to provide any additional food.
Therefore, the only person who was given a grand banquet by the Count of Hamburg was Liu Doufu.
After experiencing the war, Hamburg absorbed some refugees from Bremen. As the Earl of Bremen himself died in the battle, his descendants were also killed in the Norman (Viking) attack. For the time being, the Earl of Bremen was vacant and busy with the civil war.
Ludwig didn't have the energy to appoint a new one.
As an elder, Robert poured the wine into a silver cup and pushed it to Liudof himself.
"You...respect me so much?!"
"Why not?" Robert smiled and sat back in his seat: "I know your identity very well! Although I am a Frank, my dependents, and the people in my territory are all Saxons. And you! The title of Duke of Saxony
It should belong to your family. But...King Louis, who has gone to heaven, has completely confiscated your father's title. You can only be an earl now, but of course this is only temporary."
Robert's face was calm when he spoke, but Liu Doufu's feet were already sweating after hearing this.
"How...how dare I covet the title of Duke?"
"No! Maybe you can. You are a descendant of Widukind. Many Saxons identify with you. Some people in my territory heard that you were coming and planned to pay homage to you. For example, the cheering crowd you saw when you entered the city."
"Those people? Aren't they cheering for the saint of the north?"
"Not entirely. You are a descendant of Vidukind, and you are their leader. And I am just a simple Count of Hamburg."
Robert, Count of Hamburg, demeaned his own identity. Of course, it was not that this old guy had masochistic tendencies. It was entirely because of his current situation that he had an ax hanging above his head.
He wanted to know all the orders Ludwig gave Liudov, but it was rare for Liudov, who respected him greatly, to tell them all.
Go to the north, monitor Horik, station... Liudov explained everything.
Now Robert was covered in cold sweat after hearing this, and couldn't help but ask the young man: "You were ordered to see Horik. Do you know how Horik failed?"
"Probably I encountered the Lord's punishment."
"Absurd, did that wooden head of Eskil tell you?"
"It's a group of pirates." Liudov answered casually.
"They are pirates, but not all of them. They are not even Danes, they are Swedes and Russians. This is a powerful enemy that has emerged in recent years. You live in the south, and I have learned a lot of information in the north. I'm afraid these things,
No one knows better than Eskil. You should ask him about the horrors of the Rus."
Now, Liudof felt that Robert's excessive nervousness was boring. How could it enhance other people's prestige in this way?
"I have five hundred cavalry under my command. These are my elite."
"Oh, cavalry. The dead Count of Bremen also had cavalry, and they were all killed in the battle! I dare say that they died at the hands of the Russians. Those Russians were Normans, but they were by no means simple Normans.
When you cross the Schleswig Wall, beware of Horik, but also beware of the Rus who may launch an attack."
"Okay. Your teachings are very useful to me."
At this moment, Liu Doufu looked optimistic, but from Robert's point of view, he really wanted to slap this kid in the face a few times. Anyway, he also hoped that this kid would become his backer when he grew up, so that the family would be in the Earl of Hamburg.
Continue to live a peaceful life.
Liudov was asked to be wary of the Rus and Horik because he was afraid that he would suddenly lose power. To encourage him to establish power in the Danish world, it was also the instructions of the Earl of Hamburg.
"Charlemagne was too harsh and caused your ancestors to rebel. However, the king's suppression was too terrifying. Many Saxons crossed the wall and went to Denmark. You... can establish your own power there. Remember, you are not a Frank.
The Danes have nothing to do with you. There are many Saxons who depend on others, and their ancestors followed your ancestors. You are the real Duke of Saxony. Think about it, when our Prince Ludwig won the civil war and gained the kingship,
Is it possible that he can also serve as the Duke of Saxony? Looking ahead, you will be able to restore your title as you have the power."
There were only two nobles in this house, and even the waiters deliberately avoided them.
Compared to Eskil's Riddler behavior, Count Robert's extremely straightforward words made Liudov suddenly enlightened.
He even felt that Robert was more like his father, so in this secret place, he reciprocated the favor with good words: "Okay! If I restore the title of Duke of Saxony, I will give you a lot of gold and silver. Your family will be
Friends of my family, we can get married and do many things together."
"Oh! That's great."
The young man is very smart. Robert, Count of Hamburg, is very happy that his political investment has the possibility of paying off. Although he is not completely convinced that Liudov can really restore his dukedom, it is not easy for someone like Prince Ludwig to concurrently hold the dukedom of Saxony.
Adjusting the title of earl of Bremen and the title of nobles in the Alemany region in his own territory must be too busy with the civil war at this stage. The war will eventually end, and Ludwig will still have to restore the neglected noble system after the war.
Nobles who performed meritorious service during the civil war will be rewarded.
Therefore, Liudov left his fiefdom of Westminster and went to the north to confront the Normans. He could not make meritorious deeds in the civil war, but he also had the opportunity to make meritorious deeds in the north.
This is a rare boy! A down-and-out nobleman whose bloodline naturally has strong appeal.
Therefore, Robert spent a lot of money, allowing Liudolf's army to receive unexpected supplies in Hamburg. Robert took out a lot of his inventory and even donated some horses to prepare for emergencies.
Liu Doufu kept such good intentions in mind.
Based on the advice of this old friend, he had already planned his actions after climbing over the border wall into Denmark!
The army finally saw the border wall, and the cavalry held high the Frankish "Three Lions War Flag", the cross flag, and even made a very special temporary flag.
It was a huge piece of plain white linen, on which the word "sakson" spelled out in Roman letters was scrawled with a piece of burnt charcoal.
The cavalry arrived in the town of Schleswig. Although it had experienced war, due to its important geographical location, it was the only land exit for the border wall. It could also take advantage of the convenience of sea transportation. Not only did the Earl of Hamburg demolish the border wall here for the second time to garrison
There are also a group of Saxons who believe in Catholicism.
With the approval of the Count of Hamburg, Liudolf no longer had to hide many things.
He directly raised the Saxon flag in Schleswig, and ordered his soldiers (most of whom were also Saxons) to shout to the people in a Saxon dialect that was different from Frankish: "I am a descendant of Widukind!"
Vidukind?! The Vidukind who led the people against Charlemagne?!
Even though that was fifty years ago, the Saxon nation dare not forget its great hero!
Because Saxons did not actively convert, they were miserable losers. In order to avoid being punished, they had to give up their belief in Odin. As time passed, a large number of Saxons who fled to Denmark refused to give up their respect for Odin even after they were defeated.
Now even Denmark is in chaos. In Denmark, people who believe in Odin are leaving one after another. Crosses have been erected in every village in Jutland. People of Saxon descent who live in Jutland are unwilling to leave and will eventually convert.
In order to live a stable life, the Saxons gave up a lot, but they dare not forget any of the heroes who led the people to resist tyranny. The names and achievements of the too ancient heroes have become blurred, and they especially remember that the last hero was Widukind, even though this
The hero was eventually recruited.
The appearance of Liudov was like a miracle!
He must be the grandson of Widukind! The Saxon he speaks is absolutely true! He is a leader worthy of everyone's trust!
Look! Even Eskil, the Saint of the North, is back!
Horik ruled the Jutland Peninsula. This man was the great-grandson of the Danish hero Godfrey (self-proclaimed). But what does this have to do with the visiting Saxons? It was this man's strong landing that caused civil strife in Denmark. He must be
This reason made the Russians in the north find it profitable to launch a sneak attack in 838.
Horik's repeated leaps in faith made it impossible for the residents to trust them anymore. They miraculously welcomed the grandson of the great hero. The entire Saxon people of Schleswig stood up, regardless of men, women, old or young, and joined this army.
Run to the north.
Liu Doufu never expected this scene, nor did he expect that the Count of Hamburg was right. His bloodline naturally has a strong appeal in the Danish world!
In the past, the Saxons who fled Jutland lived in the southern part of the peninsula, and some small tribes rowed long boats and drifted to far away places. In the past, because everyone believed in Odin, the local Danish tribes had no regard for these outsiders.
What a distaste. Now that Denmark has been divided into dualities due to the war, the Saxon residents have built their own villages, built monasteries in the villages and secretly retained the sacred tree altar. Now that the situation in Jutland has become clear, they have demolished the sacred tree altar and transformed the village into a new one.
Become a devout believer in God.
Since the severely weakened Horik controlled the Robard tribe in the north of the peninsula, his management of the Danish and Saxon villages in the south has been weak.
He received military support from the Franks and stabilized the situation after the defeat. Although he lost a lot of Danish population (fleeing to Zealand), cross flags are now flying in every village in Jutland. Objectively, this man has completed some of the
of unity and stability.
"The Transgressor" Horik has a very flexible attitude towards faith. Odin's Hall of Valor is a temptation, but God's Paradise is also a temptation? Moreover, who knows the world after death?
For the power of this life and the power of future generations, the most important thing is to be able to control the power over Denmark. Now that I have lost the military strength to challenge the Franks, I can just follow whatever the Frankish Kingdom believes.
Horik used forceful means in the Robard tribe under his control, and then borrowed the momentum of the Frankish kingdom to forcefully promote the faith of God.
Those people who resolutely refused to convert were executed. After killing a few people, the conversion of the entire Robard tribe was completed.
Seeing that Horik was attacking internally like this, the tribe who didn't want to leave Jutland to become pirates and didn't want to die, had no choice but to dismantle the stone ship altar and choose to convert to God.
In fact, in the summer of 839, large-scale "concentrated baptisms" were still going on in Jutland, and those responsible for the baptisms were young priests sent in advance by the bishop of Reims.
Now the northern sage Eskil has returned, and he and the ambitious Liudov have joined forces to do such a thing.
The cavalry blatantly used the banner of Widukind to attract Saxon villages to join them, and those who had not yet been baptized were baptized by Eskil himself.
He is the grandson of the great hero Widukind! He will make the decision for all Saxons! Only he can be our true backer!
The people had such a simple attitude, and they also noticed that the young Liudov had no intention of asking for too much money from everyone, as long as the village provided enough food for the cavalry.
People are willing to pay more to support the nobles they identify with. Liudov's 500 cavalry gave the people strong confidence and attracted the surrender of some Danish villages.
Because a civil war broke out in Denmark after Horik's landing, and in the end it was Horik who relied on the cavalry to achieve victory.
The new cavalry team arrived, but Horik had already lost all of his cavalry in the "Battle of Godfrey Hagen". These Danish villages actually did not support Horik as a man, but due to the situation they could not at least show it.
Against the will. A new cavalry came. They were completely dressed in Frankish army uniforms and held high the flag of Charlemagne's Three Lions. This alone was enough to make the Danish villages tremble.
Regardless of the relationship between these cavalrymen and the visiting Saxons, the Danes' appearance of five hundred cavalrymen was essentially the same as the Russians' large ships rushing towards them. They were both existences that the brothers did not dare to provoke.
At least these cavalrymen don't rob families. It is said that they are descendants of the ancient Duke of Saxony. This nobleman is really young, promising, tall and handsome, and he looks more promising than the old, fat man Horik.
Therefore, no matter what Liudov thought, he only had 500 cavalry when he came, but now there were as many as 2,000 warriors who brought their own food and weapons standing behind him. They were Saxons and Danes, and they painted on their round shields.
The chalk mud was smearing huge crosses with charcoal blocks, and they were also holding homemade cross flags, acting as foot soldiers for Liudov.
This army arrived at the Robard tribe in the northernmost part of Jutland with great swagger. From Horik's perspective, he was so frightened that he thought Prince Ludwig had personally led the army!
Horik was mentally prepared to kneel down and kiss his feet. As a result, he took his own soldiers to respond, and then he noticed that this Frankish army was very strange.
The cavalry in front of them were standard Frankish cavalry. Their lances were very long, and they held high flags and the battle flag of Charlemagne. The many infantry around them seemed too confusing.
A young nobleman rode forward and looked at himself from a bird's eye view.
At this moment, Horik suddenly realized: "Ah! You are the nobleman arranged by His Royal Highness to be stationed here?!"
"Yes. Obviously, you are Horik! Horik of Durist is now Horik of Denmark. His Highness is very dissatisfied with your matter. Now that you have returned to our camp, I hope you can take care of yourself.
.”
Because Liudov has heard a lot about Horik. This guy is a typical Norman pirate. Now he has just been recruited and converted for the third time. Although he is young, he is not a fool. This Horik is not worth it.
Trust me, you must keep an eye on him to avoid causing trouble.
How comfortable is Horik? The capital he built was destroyed by the young Rusian Rurik, and he almost died.
Now a young man also came. Look, this army is really coming with bad intentions.
"Your Highness has already written a letter. I know what to do. My friend, who are you? Do you want to stay here?"
"Here?" Liu Doufu looked around and noticed that the ocean was directly north of him, and there was a blurry shadow looking to the north.
To be honest, this was the first time Liu Doufu came to such a distant place in his life.
His bloodline is absolutely true. He is indeed a descendant of Widukind, the last Duke of Saxony in the barbarian era. He was demoted to Earl of Westerly. The core of his rule is in Dortmold. The reason why he was chosen here is because
In the cemetery next to the monastery in this small town, his ancestor, Vidukind himself, is buried!
Look behind you, you see the army you organized. There are 2,500 troops. How can this army not restore the glory of the real Duke of Saxony?
So Horik, who was demoted to earl, was just a recruited pirate.
Liudolf rode a tall horse and declared his noble blood: "I am the grandson of the old Duke of Saxony, Widukind, and now the Earl of Westchester. All the Saxons agree with me, and many Danes also agree with me. I am the saint of the north.
Skir blessed me, and His Highness Ludwig gave me a great mission! I am Liudov, and my army will be stationed in the south. I came here today to see you and tell you that I am here."
"So...that's it?!" Sure enough, a big shot came. Horik felt extremely unhappy and could only smile. "So, what can I do for you?"
"Then give me food and fodder for my horses. And tell me about the other Normans you know."
ps: Widukind was defeated in the war against Charlemagne and was recruited. He was forced to live in a monastery for the rest of his life. Although his descendants were still Frankish nobles, they temporarily lost the title of Duke of Saxony. In the generation of his great-grandson Liudolf, he was demoted to a count.
.If there are no unexpected circumstances, Liudov will be restored to the title of Duke of Saxony, and his great-great-grandson is Otto the Great who established the "Holy Roman Empire of the German nation".