Incursions
Index
Boleslav II
976. Henry, duke of the Bavarians, fled to Bohemia after being deprived of both his office and the communion of the church. While he was residing there, with Duke Boleslav, the emperor attacked with a strong army, but gained nothing at all against these two. Moreover, through the treachery of one of Boleslav's warriors, he lost a great troop of Bavarians who were coming to his aid and had just set up camp next to the burg Pilsen. In the evening, the Bavarians were washing themselves without having set a guard for security. Suddenly, the mailed enemy arrived and cut them down as they ran naked to their tents and through the meadow. The enemy returned with all of their booty, happy and unharmed. Hearing of the loss of so many men, and knowing that no other route of return was accessible to him, the emperor went directly to his burg at Cham.1
[984. Duke Boleslav of Bohemia takes possession of Meissen, expelling the bishop; he return the next year after Boleslav went home.]2
990. In this year the Saxons twice laid waste the Abodrites in a powerful attack. Many of them and especially the most noteworthy were killed, others were murdered in the river. By the grace of God, the Saxons returned with peace and victory. Mieszko and Boleslav, dukes of the Slavs, contended amongst themselves with serious hostility.3
992. King Otto with a strong force of his own men again went to Brandenburg4. Henry, duke of the Bavarians, came to him, as did Boleslav, prince of the Bohemians, with a huge multitude in aid to the king. But Boleslaw, the son of Mieszko, not at all able to come himself to the lord king (for indeed a powerful war against the Russians threatened him), sent his warriors sufficiently loyal to him in service to the king. Yet the lord king, trusting the promises of the Slavs to be good, and not wishing to resist his princes, again granted them peace and from there returned home. But they, in their customary way, lied in everything. 5