Widukind
Widukind, also known as Wittekind and Wittikund, was a leader of the Saxons and the chief opponent of the Frankish king Charlemagne during the Saxon Wars from 777 to 785. Charlemagne ultimately prevailed, organized Saxony as a Frankish province, massacred thousands of Saxon nobles, and ordered conversions of the pagan Saxons to Christianity. In later times, Widukind became a symbol of Saxon independence and a figure of legend. He is also venerated as a blessed in the Catholic Church.
Widukind | |
|---|---|
| dux Saxonum | |
Modern statue of Widukind in Herford, North Rhine-Westphalia | |
| Reign | ?–785 |
| Predecessor | Theoderic |
| Successor | Egbert |
| Born | ? |
| Died | 807 or 808 possibly Enger, near Herford |
| Buried | ? Stiftskirche, Enger |
| Noble family | House of Odon, possibly progenitor of Immedingians |
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