Dreadful invasions by the Hungarian (Magyars) destroyed many cities and
monasteries (marked by arrows) throughout the German Empire (violet) and even
in Saxony (blue). During the ninth and tenth centuries there was a general
improvement of weaponry and fortification. The additional security resulted
in social change.
The mobile Hungarian archers fought very successfully against the Germans, who until King Henry's time rarely won a battle. All raids happened in the same way. Suddenly many riders appeared and overwhelmed the defenders. Articles of value were stolen, young women and men were captured and later sold into slavery. With the help of all German armies, Emperor Otto crushingly defeated them at the battle of Lechfeld near Augsburg in 955.
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