Martyrs of Ebsdorf

The Martyrs of Ebsdorf were the Saxon combatants killed in the winter of 880 CE at the Battle of Lüneburg Heath near Ebstorf, Lower Saxony.^[1] They were subsequently declared martyrs by the church, with their feast day being 2 February.

Recognised martyrs

The Lüneburg Heath

The Saxons consisted of 4 bishops, 11 noblemen, and numerous unknown foot soldiers. Recognised members include Bruno of Saxony,^[2][3] Marquard of Hildesheim and Theodorich of Minden.^[1][4] Some Synaxariums, however, contain a list of 32 saints:^[5]

Bishops

• Marquard, bishop of Hildesheim;
• Gobbert, bishop of Osnabrück;
• Erlulf, bishop of Verden;
• Dietrich (or Theodorich, Theodorik, Theodoricus), bishop of Minden;

Knights

• Wigmann
• Bardo (3×)
• Thioterik (2×)
• Gerrich
• Liudolf
• Folkward
• Avan

Bruno, Duke of Saxony

Noblemen

• Liuthar (or Lothar), Count of Stade
• Bruno, Duke of Saxony
• Adelram
• Alfuïnus
• Addesta
• Aida (or Edi, 2×)
• Dodo
• Bodo (or Botho)
• Wal
• Halif
• Humilduïnus
• Adalwin
• Werinhart
• Theodorich
• Hildewart
• Bardolf
• Hivart

The Saxons were slain while fighting Norsemen of the Great Heathen Army who had recently been repelled from England at the Battle of Edington.^[6]