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Siege of Trsat was a siege of the town Trsat, located near Rijeka, by the Frankish army led by Eric of Friuli, who was killed during the siege^[1].

Historical background

Eric was appointed governor of Istria, Fruli and neighbouring areas by king Charlemagne, but this did not satisfy him as he wanted to extend his dominion by conquering Dalmatian Croatia. During that time, Littoral Croatia, also known as Dalmatian Croatia, was ruled by duke Višeslav, one of the first known Croatian dukes. In 799 he marched from Istria along the sea coast towards Trsat near Rijeka in Liburnia^[2]. Meanwhile his opponent, duke Višeslav, gathered his forces and moved north from his governing center at Nin, to confront his enemies.

Siege and aftermath

Upon arriving at the foot of the settlement, Eric begun besieging and charging the city, but was repelled. Led by duke Višeslav, the inhabitants of Trsat begun throwing spears, arrows and large rocks on the enemy^[3]. The forces of Eric fled their positions and were totally routed by the forces of Višeslav in an ambush that followed^[4]. Eric himself was among the killed, and his death and defeat proved a great blow for the Carolingian Empire^[5]. Aquileian Patriarch Saint Paulinus II even started cursing the land in which their hero was killed, and wrote "Carmen de regula fidei ; the rhythmus or elegy for his death^[6]. Višeslav continued to rule Dalmatian Croatia for 3 more years, until he was succeeded by his son Borna on his death in 802.

References