Dagobert I’s Campaign Against Samo and the Slavic Victory at Wogastisburg (631 CE)

In 631 CE, Dagobert I, King of the Franks, launches a three-pronged military campaign against Samo, ruler of the Slavs (Wends). However, his Austrasian forces suffer a decisive defeat at the Battle of Wogastisburg, as recorded in the Chronicle of Fredegar—one of the most important Frankish historical sources of the early medieval period.

1. The Chronicle of Fredegar and Its Account of Samo

• The Chronicle of Fredegar (written c. 660 CE) is the primary contemporary source detailing the Frankish-Slavic conflict.
• While once thought to be written by multiple authors, modern scholars largely accept the idea of a single compiler, "Fredegar".
• Fredegar’s account provides the only known contemporary information on Samo, making it a key historical document on early Slavic state formation.

2. The Three-Pronged Frankish Invasion of 631 CE

• Dagobert I assembles three armies to crush Samo’s growing power among the Slavs (Wends).
• His forces invade from different directions, with the Austrasian army playing the main role.
• Despite superior Frankish organization and weaponry, the campaign ends in disaster.

3. The Frankish Defeat at the Battle of Wogastisburg

• The Austrasian army, Dagobert’s primary force, engages Samo’s troops at Wogastisburg, an unidentified Slavic fortress.
• The Slavs successfully defend the stronghold, inflicting a crushing defeat on the Franks.
• Following the battle, Frankish influence in Central Europe collapses, and Samo continues to rule his Slavic federation independently.

4. The Aftermath: Frankish Retreat and Slavic Independence

• The defeat forces Dagobert to abandon his expansionist ambitions in the east.
• Samo’s victory strengthens the first known Slavic political entity in Central Europe, creating an early Slavic state.
• The battle underscores the limits of Frankish power beyond the Rhine, as Slavic resistance proves too formidable for Austrasia to subdue.

Conclusion: A Turning Point in Frankish-Slavic Relations

The Frankish defeat at Wogastisburg (631 CE) is a major setback for Dagobert I, marking the failure of Merovingian expansion into Slavic lands. The Chronicle of Fredegar remains the only contemporary source on Samo, preserving crucial details about early Slavic political organization. This battle ensures that Samo’s rule remains secure, shaping the development of Slavic states in medieval Central Europe.