Wittekind von Sachsen

  Notater:

King of Saxons, Hertog van Engern, Koning van Westfalen, Roi des Saxons. A Saxon leader and the chief opponent of Charlemagne during the Saxon Wars. Widukind, also known as Widuking or Wittekind, was a Germanic 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 Frankishprovince and ordered conversions of the pagan Saxons to Roman Catholicism. In later times, Widukind became a symbol of Saxon independence and a figure of legend. Very little is known about Widukind's life. His name literally translates as "Child of the wood" (i.e. a wolf), more probably a kenning than a proper name. All sources about him stem from his enemies, the Franks, who painted a negative picture, representing him as an "insurgent" and a "traitor". While Widukind was considered the leader of the Saxon resistance by the Franks, his exact role in the military campaigns is unknown.There are no contemporary sources about Widukind's life or death after his baptism. It is assumed that he was imprisoned at a monastery - a fate that happened to other rulers deposed by Charlemagne. Reichenau Abbey has been identified as a likely location where Widukind may have spent the rest of his life. Alternatively, he may have received a position in the administration of occupied Saxony. The Vita Liudgeri biography of Saint Ludger mentions him accompanying Charlemagne on his campaign against the Veleti leader Dragovit. According to the 12th century Kaiserchronik he was slain by Charlemagne's brother-in-law Gerold of Baar.
Enger: The town, first mentioned in 948, calls itself "Widukind's town." The Saxon leader Widukind died about 808. However, there is no evidence that Enger existed in his lifetime. A legend tells that Widukind founded a church in Enger mafter his baptism, and that he lived at the place until his death. He was buried in the church of Enger, and his monumental tomb is still there. Despite this, it remains doubtful that the remains of Widukind are actually in the tomb. Analysis shows that the memorial slab dates to the time around the year 1100.

  Fødselsnotater:

Begivenhedsbeskrivelse: Y

Wittekind havde et forhold til Geva Eysteinsdottir, datter af Öystein Halfdansson og Hildur Eriksdatter. (Geva Eysteinsdottir blev født omkring 750 i Nordjylland, Danmark og døde omkring 812 i Lower Saxony (Niedersachsen), Germany.)