OTTO I AT THE BATTLE OF LECHFELD, 955 AD THE SHADOW OF DEATH

Throughout the ninth and tenth centuries, Magyar war- bands launched large raids into Europe, establishing their own kingdom called Hungary and their own kings, the Mag- yar dynasty. These dark age chevauchees ranged as far as what is now France and Spain, and into Bulgaria and the Byzantine Empire to the gates of Constantinople in the east.

By Ian Beal

With only a few exceptions, time and again European armies had met the Magyar in battle and were defeated. In 954, the Huns allied themselves with disaffected princes against the rule of King Otto I, ruler of East Francia. Otto managed to defeat the rebels, but not the Magyar, who retreated and chose to continue raiding before returning home. In late June/early July 955, a second Hungarian invasion began, numbering at least 10,000 men. Their target was in what is now Bavaria. The raiders were equipped to besiege cities and their target was Augsburg. Their leader, Harka Bulscu, planned to draw the main German field army out to defend the city, then trick them into open battle, and destroy it. They began siege works against Augsburg in late July/early August. In the…

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Wargames, Soldiers & Strategy (Digital) - 1 Issue, WSS 130

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