An early Medieval poem about battle of Saucourt-en-Vimeu ( 881 ) between King of West Francia Louis III and Vikings.
The Lay of Ludwig
I know a king, Ludwig is his name,
who gladly serves God: I know that he will
reward him for this.
He lost his father when he was a child
but soon was compensated for it:
The Lord himself adopted him and became his
guardian.
He gave Ludwig virtues, a royal entourage,
the throne here in Francia. May he enjoy these
gifts for a long time!
...God wanted to test him [to see]
if he, who was still so young, could endure
hardship.
He let heathens come from across the sea,
To admonish the Franks for their sins.
Some were lost immediately, others were
chosen for eternal salvation.
Severe punishments now were endured by
those who earlier on had lived sinfully.
Who previously had been a thief and had
survived, now began to fast.
Thus he saved himself and became a good
man.
One man was a liar, the other a bandit,
The third lived without any control, and he did
penance for it...
But God was also full of mercy. He knew of all
the danger. And so he commanded Ludwig to ride there
immediately:
"Ludwig, my king, help my people!
The Northmen have subdued them viciously!"
Ludwig then replied: "Lord,
if death does not hinder me, I will do all that
you command. "
He obtained permission from God, he raised
the war banner,
and rode out to Frankia against the Northmen.
...But in a loud voice the noble Ludwig said:
"Compose yourself, my friends and
companions in arms!
God send me and commanded me himself
to fight here if it would help you
and not to spare myself till I have saved you.
Our earthly existence is measured according
to the will of holy Christ..."
With this he took up shield and spear.
He rode bravely ahead of everyone: he wanted
to get a good look at his enemies...
The King bravely burst forth, a pious song on
his lips,
and his men all together joined in singing
"Kyrie Eleison".
The song was sung, the battle has begun.
The blood shone in their cheeks, the Franks
chased [the enemy].
Every warrior fought, but not like Ludwig,
so skillful and so bold: he was born for this.
He smote one, he stabbed another.
Without rest he poured out bitter
drink to his enemies.
Woe forever to their lives!
God Almighty be praised: Ludwig
was victorious.
The Lay of Ludwig
I know a king, Ludwig is his name,
who gladly serves God: I know that he will
reward him for this.
He lost his father when he was a child
but soon was compensated for it:
The Lord himself adopted him and became his
guardian.
He gave Ludwig virtues, a royal entourage,
the throne here in Francia. May he enjoy these
gifts for a long time!
...God wanted to test him [to see]
if he, who was still so young, could endure
hardship.
He let heathens come from across the sea,
To admonish the Franks for their sins.
Some were lost immediately, others were
chosen for eternal salvation.
Severe punishments now were endured by
those who earlier on had lived sinfully.
Who previously had been a thief and had
survived, now began to fast.
Thus he saved himself and became a good
man.
One man was a liar, the other a bandit,
The third lived without any control, and he did
penance for it...
But God was also full of mercy. He knew of all
the danger. And so he commanded Ludwig to ride there
immediately:
"Ludwig, my king, help my people!
The Northmen have subdued them viciously!"
Ludwig then replied: "Lord,
if death does not hinder me, I will do all that
you command. "
He obtained permission from God, he raised
the war banner,
and rode out to Frankia against the Northmen.
...But in a loud voice the noble Ludwig said:
"Compose yourself, my friends and
companions in arms!
God send me and commanded me himself
to fight here if it would help you
and not to spare myself till I have saved you.
Our earthly existence is measured according
to the will of holy Christ..."
With this he took up shield and spear.
He rode bravely ahead of everyone: he wanted
to get a good look at his enemies...
The King bravely burst forth, a pious song on
his lips,
and his men all together joined in singing
"Kyrie Eleison".
The song was sung, the battle has begun.
The blood shone in their cheeks, the Franks
chased [the enemy].
Every warrior fought, but not like Ludwig,
so skillful and so bold: he was born for this.
He smote one, he stabbed another.
Without rest he poured out bitter
drink to his enemies.
Woe forever to their lives!
God Almighty be praised: Ludwig
was victorious.
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