Franco-German war of 978–980

Franco-German war
	; Otto's troops drowning in the Aisne while attacked by Lothair's (from the 14th-century Grandes chroniques de France)
Date	978–980
Location	Lotharingia, West Francia
Result	Status quo ante bellum
Belligerents
West Francia	Holy Roman Empire
Commanders and leaders
King Lothair	Emperor Otto II
Strength
20,000 (Richer of Reims)	30,000 (Annals of Saint Gall)
	Contemporary strength figures are exaggerated.

The Franco-German war of 978–980 was fought over possession of Lotharingia and over personal honour. In the summer of 978, King Lothair of West Francia (France) launched a surprise attack on Aachen, almost capturing the Emperor Otto II, king of East Francia (Germany) and Italy. By autumn Lothair had returned to West Francia, while Otto had convoked a diet and assembled an army. To avenge his honour, Otto invaded West Francia. Unable to take Paris after a brief siege, he returned to Lotharingia. During his retreat, after the bulk of his army had crossed the river Aisne, the West Franks caught up to his baggage train and slaughtered it. In 980, the kings made peace. Lothair renounced his claim to Lotharingia.

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