Henry of Franconia: Defender of Neustria Against the Vikings (884–886)

Henry of Franconia was one of Charles the Fat’s most trusted military commanders, assigned to hold the March of Neustria against the Viking invasions following Charles’ accession to the throne of West Francia in 884. His career was marked by his campaigns against the Norse, his role in the political intrigues of Charles' court, and his untimely death in 886.

Role in the March of Neustria

• After Charles became King of West Francia in 884, he appointed Henry as margrave of Neustria, a military frontier region responsible for defending against Viking raids.
• Neustria, situated along the Loire and Seine rivers, was one of the regions most affected by Norse incursions, making Henry’s role critical to Frankish defense.

The Arrest of Hugh of Alsace and Godfrey of Frisia (885)

• In 885, Charles summoned Hugh, Duke of Alsace, and Godfrey, Duke of Frisia, to a court at Lobith.
• It was Henry who carried out their arrest on Charles' orders:
  • Godfrey was executed, removing a powerful Viking-allied warlord from Frisia.
  • Hugh was blinded and imprisoned at Prüm, eliminating a political rival in Lotharingia.

Campaigns During the Siege of Paris (885–886)

• In early 886, Henry was sent to aid the besieged defenders of Paris, where Vikings under Sigfred and Rollohad been attacking for months.
• However, he did not stay long, likely due to Charles the Fat’s hesitance to fully commit to battle.
• Later in 886, Henry returned to Paris with Charles, but en route, he was killed in a skirmish with the Vikings.
• His death was a serious blow to Carolingian military efforts, as Henry had been one of the few commanders capable of dealing with Viking incursions in Neustria.

Family and Possible Marriages

Though details of Henry’s family are unclear, sources and onomastic studies suggest he was married and had children:

• Wife #1 (Possible): Ingeltrude, daughter of Eberhard of Friuli and Gisela, daughter of Louis the Pious.
• Wife #2 (Possible): A daughter of Berengar I of Neustria, possibly linking Henry to the Conradine family.
  • If this is correct, their marriage may have been a strategic alliance, securing Henry’s position in Neustriaand aiding his campaigns against the Vikings.

Children

• Hedwiga → Later marries Otto I, Duke of Saxony, linking Henry’s lineage to the future Ottonian dynasty.
• A possible son:
  • Some scholars propose a son named Henry or Berenger, who might be identified with Berengar II of Neustria.
  • This theory is based on onomastic evidence (name similarities) and the continuation of Henry’s influence in Neustria.

Legacy of Henry of Franconia

• His military leadership in Neustria was one of the last effective Frankish responses to Viking raids before the Carolingian collapse.
• His daughter Hedwiga’s marriage to Otto I of Saxony helped establish the future Ottonian dynasty, which would rise to power in Germany.
• His death in 886 weakened Carolingian resistance, accelerating the decline of Charles the Fat’s rule and the further decentralization of West Francia.

Henry’s tenure as Margrave of Neustria was short but critical in the ongoing struggle against Viking invasions. His death marked the loss of one of Charles the Fat’s strongest military leaders, further destabilizing West Francia at a time when the Carolingian Empire was already unraveling.