Bubo (died 734), also spelled Bobbo, Poppo or Popo, was the

pagan Paganism (from classical Latin ''pāgānus'' "rural", "rustic", later "civilian") is a term first used in the fourth century by early Christians for people in the Roman Empire who practiced polytheism, or ethnic religions other than Judaism. ...

duke (''dux'') of the Frisians in the early eighth century. He is the first ruler whose name is known after Radbod (died 719). He did not recognise

Frankish Frankish may refer to: * Franks, a Germanic tribe and their culture ** Frankish language or its modern descendants, Franconian languages * Francia, a post-Roman state in France and Germany * East Francia, the successor state to Francia in Germany ...

supremacy, and his territory probably only encompassed the north of Radbod's Frisia. He was defeated in a short war by the forces of

Charles Martel Charles Martel ( – 22 October 741) was a Frankish political and military leader who, as Duke and Prince of the Franks and Mayor of the Palace, was the de facto ruler of Francia from 718 until his death. He was a son of the Frankish statesma ...

, the

duke of the Franks The title Duke of the Franks ( la, dux Francorum) has been used for three different offices, always with "duke" implying military command and "prince" implying something approaching sovereign or regalian rights. The term "Franks" may refer to an ...

, in the Battle of the Boorne. The Frankish chroniclers, such as the ''Continuations'' of

Fredegar The ''Chronicle of Fredegar'' is the conventional title used for a 7th-century Frankish chronicle that was probably written in Burgundy. The author is unknown and the attribution to Fredegar dates only from the 16th century. The chronicle begin ...

, ''Vita Willibroridi'' of

Alcuin Alcuin of York (; la, Flaccus Albinus Alcuinus; 735 – 19 May 804) – also called Ealhwine, Alhwin, or Alchoin – was a scholar, clergyman, poet, and teacher from York, Northumbria. He was born around 735 and became the student o ...

and the ''

Annales Mettenses priores The ''Annals of Metz'' ( la, Annales Mettenses) are a set of Latin Carolingian annals covering the period of Frankish history from the victory of Pepin II in the Battle of Tertry (687) to the time of writing (c. 806). Although the annals do cover ...

'', depict Bubo as a rebel and the Frankish invasion as a

just war The just war theory ( la, bellum iustum) is a doctrine, also referred to as a tradition, of military ethics which is studied by military leaders, theologians, ethicists and policy makers. The purpose of the doctrine is to ensure that a war i ...

. There was a rebellion—probably not led by Bubo—against Frankish rule in the region of

Westergo Westergoa was one of the seven sealands and one of the three that now lie within the borders of today's Dutch province of Friesland. Later it was one of the three goaen of Frisia. In the Middle Ages Westergoa most probably formed the political c ...

in 733, which Charles put down. The inhabitants gave hostages, converted to Christianity and recognised Frankish overlordship, but after Charles left they were punished by their fellow Frisians. The next year (734), the Frisians rebelled again, this time under Bubo's leadership. Charles gathered a large fleet and army and prepared a naval invasion. Initial landings on Westergo and

Ostergo Eastergoa (also Ostergau, Ostergo, or Oostergo) was one of the seven areas and one of the three '' Gaue'' within what is today the province of Friesland in the Netherlands. Area On its west side Eastergoa was bordered by the Middelsee with ...

These regions were described as islands (''insulae'') in contemporary accounts. encountered no resistance, since Charles's aim was to bring Bubo to heel. This time no punitive measures were taken against the Frisians. Charles and Bubo's armies met on the banks of the river Boorne, perhaps at

Oldeboorne Aldeboarn ( nl, Oldeboorn) is a village in Heerenveen in the province of Friesland, the Netherlands. It had a population of around 1545 in January 2017. Aldeboarn has an iconic church tower. History The village was first mentioned in 1243 as "jn B ...

, one of the Frisians' chief commercial centers at the time. The Franks appear to have coveted the trade that passed through there and through

Domburg Domburg is a seaside resort on the North Sea, on the northwest coast of Walcheren in the Dutch province of Zeeland. It is a part of the municipality of Veere, and lies about 11 km northwest of the city of Middelburg, the provincial capital. ...

and

Dorestad Dorestad (''Dorestat, Duristat'') was an early medieval emporium, located in the southeast of the province of Utrecht in the Netherlands, close to the modern-day town of Wijk bij Duurstede. It flourished during the 8th to early 9th centuries, ...

(which they already possessed). The Franks constructed a fortified encampment (''castra'') once on shore and the Frisian army was defeated. Bubo was killed in combat. The death of Bubo marked an important phase in the destruction of Frisian paganism. Charles ordered the shrines (''fana'') to be destroyed and carried back to Francia "a great mass of spoils" (''magna spolia et praeda''). The Latin title ''victor'' given him by the chroniclers may indicate that he celebrated a Roman-style triumph on his return home.

Notes

Sources

* * * * * {{Authority control Medieval Frisian rulers 734 deaths Year of birth unknown