ABSTRACT
In early 929, King Henry I of Germany began a three-phased military campaign against the Slav polities along the entire length of his eastern frontier. The campaign of 929 was a military triumph and demonstration of Henry I’s power, particularly the skill of his army in the dangerous undertaking of siege warfare. This chapter provides a detailed military analysis of King Henry’s 929 campaign, including the material, logistical, and manpower requirements that his operations entailed. In order to capture Brandenburg by storm, Henry required an advantage of at least four to one over the defenders, who were armed with missile weapons, including both self-bows and spears. This estimate is based on a detailed statistical analysis utilizing probability theory regarding the likely number of arrows shot from tenth-century bows that would land in a given area over a given period.
