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Battle of Saucourt: French King Louis III defeats the Vikings

Louis III (863/65 – 5 August 882) was King of West Francia from 879 until his death in 882.

Louis III (863/65 – 5 August 882) was King of West Francia from 879 until his death in 882. Despite questions of his legitimacy and challenges against his ascension to the monarchy, Louis would prove to be an effective leader during his reign, notable for the defeat of Viking invaders at the Battle of Saucourt-en-Vimeu in August 881 that would later be immortalized in the poem Ludwigslied. He also led a less successful military campaign against Boso of Provence with help from Charles the Fat.

The eldest son of Louis the Stammerer and Ansgarde of Burgundy, it was unclear during his early life if the young Louis had a claim on the throne of West Francia.

Historical Significance

Louis III (863/65 – 5 August 882) was King of West Francia from 879 until his death in 882.

Events Before

  1. Battle at Andernach: East Frankish king Louis the Younger heavily defeats the West Frankish king Charles the Bald

    Louis the German (German: Ludwig der Deutsche; c. 806/810 – 28 August 876), also known as Louis II of Germany (German: Ludwig II.

  2. Alfred, King of Wessex, is surprised by a nighttime attack in Chippenham, by the Great Viking Army led by Guthrum the Da

    Alfred, King of Wessex, is surprised by a nighttime attack in Chippenham, by the Great Viking Army led by Guthrum the Dane. Alfred escapes into the Somerset marshes.

  3. Syracuse is captured by the Muslim sultan of Sicily

    Syracuse is a city and municipality, capital of the free municipal consortium of the same name, located in the autonomous region of Sicily in Southern Italy.

  4. Louis III becomes King of West Francia

    In medieval historiography, West Francia or the Kingdom of the West Franks constitutes the initial stage of the Kingdom of France and extends from the Treaty of Verdun in 843 to 987, the beginning of...

  5. Pope John VIII gives blessings to duke Branimir and to Croatian people, considered to be international recognition of th

    Pope John VIII gives blessings to duke Branimir and to Croatian people, considered to be international recognition of the Croatian state

Events After

  1. Marinus I begins his reign as Catholic Pope succeeding John VIII

    Marinus I begins his reign as Catholic Pope succeeding John VIII

  2. Marinus I ends his reign as Catholic Pope

    Marinus I ends his reign as Catholic Pope

  3. St Adrian III begins his reign as Catholic Pope

    St Adrian III begins his reign as Catholic Pope

  4. The end of the Carolingian Empire: King Charles III resigns as Emperor after a revolt led by his nephew Arnulf, the empi

    The end of the Carolingian Empire: King Charles III resigns as Emperor after a revolt led by his nephew Arnulf, the empire is then split up

  5. Odo (Eudes), Count of Paris, succeeds Charles III the Fat to become King of West Francia (888-898)

    Odo (Eudes), Count of Paris, succeeds Charles III the Fat to become King of West Francia (888-898)

More from the 880s

Odo (Eudes), Count of Paris, succeeds Charles III the Fat to become King of West Francia (888-898)

Odo (Eudes), Count of Paris, succeeds Charles III the Fat to become King of West Francia (888-898)

Marinus I ends his reign as Catholic Pope

Marinus I ends his reign as Catholic Pope

St Adrian III begins his reign as Catholic Pope

St Adrian III begins his reign as Catholic Pope

The end of the Carolingian Empire: King Charles III resigns as Emperor after a revolt led by his nephew Arnulf, the empi

The end of the Carolingian Empire: King Charles III resigns as Emperor after a revolt led by his nephew Arnulf, the empire is then split up

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on August 3, 881?
Louis III (863/65 – 5 August 882) was King of West Francia from 879 until his death in 882. Despite questions of his legitimacy and challenges against his ascension to the monarchy, Louis would prove to be an effective leader during his reign, notable for the defeat of Viking invaders at the Battle of Saucourt-en-Vimeu in August 881 that would later be immortalized in the poem Ludwigslied. He also led a less successful military campaign against Boso of Provence with help from Charles the Fat.
Why is Battle of Saucourt: French King Louis III defeats the Vikings significant?
Louis III (863/65 – 5 August 882) was King of West Francia from 879 until his death in 882.

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August 3 in HistoryYear 881