Henry IV is conducting a campaign against…
June 1075 CE
Henry IV is conducting a campaign against the Magyars while papal legates are attempting to create support for the Saxon rebels..
Otto of Nordheim, together with the count palatine in Saxony and Bishop Burckhard II of Halberstadt, openly declare their hostility in 1075, using as an excuse Henry's violations of the Treaty of Gerstungen.
They gain many Saxon and Thuringian freedmen, but many nobles and peasants do not join.
The King makes camp in Bredingen, and manages to gain the defections of some lower Saxon nobles with promises to listen to their grievances.
In June, he moves to Langensalza, putting his forces loser to the Saxon encampment.
Vratislaus II of Bohemia joins him, and the two sides meet for battle at Homburg on June 9.
The Saxon army contains several thousand men, but in typical Saxon tradition, most of them are on foot.
Their ranks consist of nobles and their vassals, along with freedmen and some serfs.
Many of them are poorly trained.
Henry's army advances in five ranks, despite the open terrain south of the River Unstrut.
The Saxons rush out of their castle at Homburg all on horseback, apparently leaving their foot soldiery behind in their haste.
The Bohemian troops show conspicuous bravery in the engagement that follows, which is less of a battle than a rout.
A charge by the Swabians under Duke Rudolf almost instantly destroys the Saxon center.
The Saxon leaders take to their horses and flee, but the foot soldiers are slaughtered.
It is reported that several thousand died when they drowned in the Unstrut.
Henry's army gains many spoils.
The defeat is stunning.
It shocks the Saxons, and the supporters of the rebellion become frantic.
The Archbishop of Mainz threatens excommunication against the Thuringians in order to gain funds to finance the insurrection.