Saxon Wars

Saxon Wars
Frankish expansion from 481 to 814
Date 772–804 Location Saxony, Polabian Slav territories, Frisia, Austrasia Result Frankish victory Conversion of the Saxons to Christianity Territorial changes Frankish annexation of Saxony Nordalbingia given to the Obotrite Confederacy
Belligerents
Carolingian Empire Obotrite Confederacy	Saxons Frisians
Commanders and leaders
Charlemagne Chamberlain Adalgisile † Constable Geilo † Count Palatine Worad † Count Theodoric †	Widukind
Casualties and losses
Unknown	4,500 executed in 782 2,800–4,000 killed in 798 7,070 deported in 795 1,600 deported in 798 10,000 deported in 804

The Saxon Wars were the campaigns and insurrections of the thirty-three years from 772, when Charlemagne first entered Saxony with the intent to conquer, to 804, when the last rebellion of tribesmen was defeated. In all, 18 campaigns were fought, primarily in what is now northern Germany. They resulted in the incorporation of Saxony into the Frankish realm and their forcible conversion from Germanic paganism to Christianity.^[1]

The Saxons were divided into four subgroups in four regions. Nearest to the ancient Frankish kingdom of Austrasia was Westphalia, and farthest was Eastphalia. In between the two kingdoms was that of Engria (or Engern), and north of the three, at the base of the Jutland peninsula, was Nordalbingia. Despite repeated setbacks, the Saxons resisted steadfastly, returning to raid Charlemagne's domains as soon as he turned his attention elsewhere. Their main leader, Widukind, was a resilient and resourceful opponent, but eventually was defeated and baptized (in 785).