{"slug": "widukind", "label": "Widukind", "wikipedia": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Widukind", "wikidata": "https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q320348", "qid": "Q320348", "description": "Duke of Saxony", "entries": 9, "years": 9, "span": [775, 807], "span_label": ["775 CE", "807 CE"], "topics": [{"title": "Conflict & Security", "count": 7}, {"title": "Religion & Belief", "count": 1}, {"title": "Deaths", "count": 1}], "related": [{"slug": "saxon-wars", "label": "Saxon Wars", "shared": 6}, {"slug": "old-saxony", "label": "Old Saxony", "shared": 6}, {"slug": "charlemagne", "label": "Charlemagne", "shared": 4}, {"slug": "saxons", "label": "Saxons", "shared": 4}, {"slug": "rhine", "label": "Rhine", "shared": 2}, {"slug": "franks", "label": "Franks", "shared": 2}, {"slug": "carolingian-dynasty", "label": "Carolingian dynasty", "shared": 2}, {"slug": "denmark", "label": "Denmark", "shared": 1}, {"slug": "slavs", "label": "Slavs", "shared": 1}, {"slug": "cologne", "label": "Cologne", "shared": 1}, {"slug": "military-alliance", "label": "Military alliance", "shared": 1}, {"slug": "baptism", "label": "Baptism", "shared": 1}], "items": [{"year": 775, "year_label": "775 CE", "section": "Conflict & Security", "date": null, "text": "Westphalian Saxons, probably commanded by Widukind, cross the Weser and fight an inconclusive battle at Hlidbeck (modern-day Lübbecke). Charlemagne claims victory, but perhaps in reality suffers a setback. He reunites his forces and inflicts a real defeat upon the Saxons, seizing considerable booty and taking hostages, though Widukind escapes.", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1340848014#Europe", "title": "775", "revid": 1340848014, "section": "Events › By place › Europe"}}, {"year": 777, "year_label": "777 CE", "section": "Conflict & Security", "date": null, "text": "Saxon Wars: King Charlemagne spends Easter in Nijmegen, and leads a large Frankish army to Paderborn, where a general assembly of Carolingian and Saxon leaders had been summoned. Saxon lands are integrated into the Frankish Kingdom, and divided into missionary parishes. Duke Widukind and his followers flee to King Sigfred of Denmark, seeking refuge and support.", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1348716720#Europe", "title": "AD 777", "revid": 1348716720, "section": "Events › By place › Europe"}}, {"year": 778, "year_label": "778 CE", "section": "Conflict & Security", "date": null, "text": "Saxon Wars: Widukind and his close followers return to Saxony from Denmark. He probably makes alliances with the Danes and the northwestern Slav tribes. Saxon rebels destroy the fortress of Karlsburg and sack Deutz (near Cologne), but are unable to cross the Rhine. They are driven back by the garrison of Koblenz, but then ambush and defeat the Frankish pursuers. Counter-attacking Frankish forces pursue the Saxons up the Lahn Valley, and defeat them near Leisa.", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1267081416#Europe", "title": "778", "revid": 1267081416, "section": "Events › By place › Europe"}}, {"year": 779, "year_label": "779 CE", "section": "Conflict & Security", "date": null, "text": "Saxon Wars: King Charlemagne assembles a Frankish army at Düren, crosses the Rhine at the modern town of Wesel, and defeats the Saxons in battle near Bocholt (North Rhine-Westphalia). All the main Westphalian leaders are captured, except Widukind. Charlemagne crosses the Weser, Oker and Ohre rivers into Eastphalian territory, where local leaders submit to Frankish rule and hand over hostages. Widukind remains in northern Saxony, and relies on guerrilla warfare.", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1340848243#Europe", "title": "779", "revid": 1340848243, "section": "Events › By place › Europe"}}, {"year": 780, "year_label": "780 CE", "section": "Religion & Belief", "date": null, "text": "Saxon Wars: King Charlemagne decrees the death penalty for any subdued Saxon refusing Christian baptism. Meanwhile Widukind builds up rebel strength in northern Saxony.", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1364753540#Europe", "title": "780", "revid": 1364753540, "section": "Events › By place › Europe"}}, {"year": 782, "year_label": "782 CE", "section": "Conflict & Security", "date": null, "text": "Battle of Süntel: The Franks under Charlemagne are defeated by Saxon rebels, led by Widukind. He succeeds in wiping out more than half of the occupying Frankish forces and again raises the banner of revolt.", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1267081621#Europe", "title": "782", "revid": 1267081621, "section": "Events › By place › Europe"}}, {"year": 783, "year_label": "783 CE", "section": "Conflict & Security", "date": null, "text": "Winter – Saxon Wars: Charlemagne defeats the Saxon rebels in a three-day battle next to the Hase River, and perhaps overruns fortifications on the Wittekindsberg, before ravaging southern Saxony. A Frisian uprising against Carolingian rule is supported by Duke Widukind.", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1351342197#Europe", "title": "783", "revid": 1351342197, "section": "Events › By place › Europe"}}, {"year": 785, "year_label": "785 CE", "section": "Conflict & Security", "date": null, "text": "Saxon Wars: King Charlemagne summons a major assembly of Saxon and Frankish lords at Paderborn, then leads his army across Saxony as far as the Lower Elbe, without significant resistance. Duke Widukind retreats with his 'rebel' forces beyond the Elbe, but then negotiates and exchanges hostages. Charlemagne returns to his palace at Attigny (Ardennes), followed by Widukind; here the Saxon leaders are baptized as Christians on Christmas Day. Widukind and the Saxon nobility swear fealty to Charlemagne.", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1351342449#Europe", "title": "785", "revid": 1351342449, "section": "Events › By place › Europe"}}, {"year": 807, "year_label": "807 CE", "section": "Deaths", "date": null, "text": "Widukind, duke of Saxony (approximate date)", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1342124762#Deaths", "title": "807", "revid": 1342124762, "section": "Deaths"}}]}