Warfare in tenth-century Germany

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Over half a century, the first two kings of the Saxon dynasty, Henry I (919-936) and Otto I (936-973), engaged in extensive military campaigns across Europe. Their armies operated from the Oder in the east to the Seine in the west, and from the Baltic Sea in the north to the Adriatic and Mediterranean in the south. Through numerous military actions and strategic diplomacy, they recreated Charlemagne's empire and established themselves as dominant rulers in Western Europe. This work explores how Henry I and Otto I accomplished this, providing an in-depth analysis of the organization, training, morale, tactics, and strategy of Ottonian armies during this period. Utilizing a wide range of sources, including significant archaeological findings, it reveals that the Ottonian kings commanded large armies focused on capturing fortifications, particularly Roman-origin fortress cities. Their military success demonstrates that Henry I and Otto I built upon the legacies of their Carolingian predecessors and the late Roman Empire, supported by a well-organized administration and bureaucracy that effectively mobilized resources for warfare. David S. Bachrach is Associate Professor of History at the University of New Hampshire.