Unconquered Louis Rejoiced In Iron": Military History In East Francia Under King Louis The German (C. 825-876)"
Christopher Flynn
This project is a comprehensive military history of East Francia during the reign King Louis German (c. 825-876). It interrogates annals and chronicle sources, royal ecclesiastical charters, Carolingian capitularies, papal letters to study all aspects Louis’s machine. These include grand strategy, organization, tactics, training, leadership, morale, logistics. The work fills notable lacuna in scholarship between heavily studied militaries Charlemagne Ottonian period. was not innovator. Rather, he looked his predecessors for examples nearly every aspect policy strategy. His main intent defensio patriae, which achieved successfully through system what modern scholars would classify as defense depth doctrine overwhelming force. Both these essential strategies can be traced readily Charlemagne, when offensive warfare aimed at territorial conquest largely gave way more defensive strategies. Contrary much prevailing ninth century scholarship, central Frankish administration did suffer result perceived consolidation power hands local magnates. proved capable putting very large armies—often several once—into field simultaneously. He fielded well-supplied troops from across substantial realm able effective force into various theaters. led armies on well-organized campaigns west kingdom, against father, brothers, nephews, defended long eastern frontier Slavic peoples, most prominently Moravians, whom subsumed state tributary relationships. systems, deliberately modeled upon those established by early Carolingians ensured that remained intact throughout course reign. institutions survived after death, void late tenth centuries, utilized recognizable form kings.