A minor 940 Italian engagement in which Duke Anscar of Spoleto was killed, demonstrating King Hugh's use of proxy forces to remove political rivals.
Key Facts
- Year
- 940
- Sarlio's force size
- Six acies (units) of experienced troops
- Anscar's force size
- One acies
- Primary source
- Liutprand of Cremona
- Outcome
- Duke Anscar of Spoleto killed in battle
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
King Hugh of Italy paid the count of the palace Sarlio to foment unrest in the Duchy of Spoleto, providing a pretext for removing Duke Anscar from power. Sarlio, possibly exceeding his mandate, advanced on a city in Spoleto with six units of veteran troops, vastly outnumbering Anscar's single available unit.
Duke Anscar, pressured by a Burgundian named Arcod against the advice of his standard-bearer Wikbert, launched an assault on Sarlio's camp. Despite initial success, Sarlio committed additional forces under Count Hatto. Anscar continued fighting after Wikbert was mortally wounded, personally slew Hatto with a broken lance, but was ultimately trapped in a ditch when his exhausted horse fell and was killed by missiles.
Duke Anscar of Spoleto was killed, effectively achieving King Hugh's objective of removing him from power. The sole chronicler of the battle, Liutprand of Cremona, records no date or precise location, leaving many details obscure. The episode illustrates the factional instability of the Italian kingdom under Hugh's reign.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
Sarlio, Count Hatto.
Side B
1 belligerent
Duke Anscar of Spoleto, Wikbert (standard-bearer).