THE SCENE: When the Saxons first arrived in Germany, they immediately found a nemesis in the native Thuringian people. The 10th Century passage below describes one of their biggest battles.
THE TEXT: The next day at dawn, taking their weapons, they took the outer fortification by storm and burnt it. When this had been destroyed and burnt out, they drew up a line of battle opposite the eastern gate of the city. When those behind the walls saw the battle-line drawn up, and knew that they were reduced to the last extremities, they boldly burst forth from the gates and in a blind fury rushed upon their adversaries, where with lances cast aside, the two armies clashed with their swords. The battle waxed fierce, and many on this side and many on that were slain. The one side was fighting for their native land, their wives and their children, and finally for their lives, while the Saxons fought for glory and for the acquisition of land, and there arose the cry of men exhorting one another, the clang of arms, the groans of the dying, and with such a scene all that whole day was drawn out. And although there was still slaughter and yelling on both sides, and neither side would give up the field, finally the late hour broke up the battle. On that day many of the Thuringians were slain and many wounded; of the Saxons there were counted six thousand slain
– The Deeds of the Saxons, Widukind of Corvey, 10th Century AD
