Battle of the Boorne
| date | 734 |
|---|---|
| place | Irnsum (Frisian: Jirnsum), Boarnsterhim municipality , Netherlands |
| output | Karl Martell's victory |
| Parties to the conflict | |
|---|---|
| Commander | |
|
Friesian King Poppo |
|
| Troop strength | |
| ± 5,000 | ± 2,500 |
The Battle of the Boorne ( Frisian : Slach oan de Boarn ), also the Battle of Jirnsum (Frisian: Slach by Jirnsum ), was a field battle of the 8th century in Friesland. The conflict between the Frisian king Poppo and the Franconian house master Karl Martell (nickname: The Hammer) marks the beginning of the decline of the Frisian empire ("Magna Frisia").
background
The conflicts between Franconia and Frisians broke out under the reign of the Frisian King Radbod . This dissolved the previously peaceful relations and took to the field against the Franks . In the battle of Wijk bij Duurstede , on the banks of the Rhine, he was defeated by the ruler of the entire Franconian Empire, the victor of Testri, Pippin the Middle . West Friesland had to be ceded to the Franks. Immediately from 690 the missionary work of the pagan Frisians by Willibrord began . The starting point for the mission was probably Antwerp with the Peter and Paul Church built by the Aquitaine mission bishop Amandus .
Radbod himself had meanwhile fled to the holy island of Foseteland, today's Heligoland . From there he tried to suppress the missionaries in his lost parts of the country and to kill missionaries and their helpers. After Pippin's death he had all men of the country capable of military service called together and with this army won back all the lost parts of the country during the reign of Chilperich II. In addition, he stood in 716 with his army before Cologne . There he defeated the caretaker Karl Martell and gave him his first and only defeat in his tenure. The churches that had previously been built in this room were torn down or burned down, the priests and missionaries were driven out and the old groves of gods and temples restored. In addition, Radbod married his daughter Theudesinda to Pippin's son Grimoald the Younger to ensure peace. Radbod died in 719. Poppo became his successor . Under his rule the western Friesland was conquered by the Franks and after 720 all previously Frisian parts of the country west of the Vlie were in Franconian hands.
course
In 734 Karl Martell sent his troops again to Friesland to force a decisive battle. The Franconian Armed Forces moved along the Boorne River and met the Frisian army in the immediate vicinity of the mouth of the so-called Middelzee. Their leader Poppo tried to surprise the enemy by using boats, but ultimately without success. The Frisian armed forces were defeated and their leader Poppo was killed.
Effects
The battle of the Boorne marks the end of the Frisian empire . The provinces west of the Lauwers became part of the Frankish Empire. The pagan sanctuaries were destroyed and Christianity was slowly gaining a foothold.
Coordinates: 53 ° 4 ′ 36.3 " N , 5 ° 47 ′ 37.8" E