A Battle Led by St. Ulrich, Prince-Bishop of Augsburg

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A Battle Led by St. Ulrich, Prince-Bishop of Augsburg
Adapted from The Life of Ulrich of Augsburg by Gerhard, Dalcassian Press, 2024

TIA | July 11, 2026

St. Ulrich was the Bishop of Augsburg in the 10th century (923–973), and known for his efforts to reform the Church and spread the Faith in Bavaria. One of his most epic feats was his valiant defense of his city in 955 when Augsburg was besieged by the Magyars (Hungarians).

Ulrich defended the city of Lechfeld, just south of Augsburg, for more than three days against the attacking heathens in August 955. The Prince-Bishop was actively engaged in the fight, organized the defense, and encouraged the fighters in the frontlines. Ulrich’s ability to hold out during the siege until the imperial forces arrived was crucial to the victory of Emperor Otto.

His legend was written by Gerhard, provost of Augsburg, between 982 and 993. Gerhard was an eyewitness and gave a lively account of the Prince-Bishop's part in the battle. However, between 1020 and 1040 the Abbot of Reichenau Berno revised the Life of the holy Bishop, and hid the militant character of St. Ulrichhim presenting him as only a pious and meditating person, dedicated to prayer: No fights, no blood, no aggressive stances, the defense of Augsburg is mentioned just in passing.

In later versions of the legends, even the Magyars and the Battle itself disappear from the text. Fortunately, in the 15th century historians discovered the original “historically authentic” version. The following excerpt is from the original work by Gerhard.


It would not do good to be silent about the miracles of a great vision manifested to Ulrich where he foresaw the Battle of Lechfeld. One night some years before, when he placed his body on the bed to sleep, he saw St. Afra [an early martyr and Patron Saint of Augsburg] in great beauty, dressed in a beautiful tunic and girded, standing before him and saying: “Arise and follow me.”

Patron of Augsburg St. Afra appeared to Ulrich

Then she led him to a field commonly called Lechfeld. There he found St. Peter, the Prince of the Apostles, who told him many things. He also indicated to him the impending incursion of the Hungarians and the places of battle. And, although it would only be with great effort, he announced that victory would be granted to the Christians.

After this vision was completed, he released him. Having been placed back on the bed, Ulrich returned to himself and contemplated it all, reverently recalling the words of St. Paul who was caught up to the secrets of third heaven “whether in the body or out of the body.” (2 Cor 12). …

Now, I would like to recount how the Almighty Lord deemed it worthy to liberate His people through the merits of His servant Ulrich. In 955, such a multitude of Hungarians (Magyars) was to be seen that no one living at that time claimed to have see such in the region before.

They simultaneously devastated the region of Noricum from the Danube River to the Black Forest; and when they crossed the Licum and occupied Alamannia, they burned the Church of Saint Afra and plundered the entire province, and set fire to the great part up to the Hilara River.

A huge Magyar horde attacked Lechfeld

They besieged the city of Lechfeld, where the holy Bishop had a very great multitude of his best soldiers gathered within the walls of the city. Because of his direction, agility and boldness, the city stood firmly.

For when they saw the army of Hungarians surrounding the city to assault, they wished to go out to meet them. But the Bishop did not consent to it, commanding that the gate where the greatest entrance remained be firmly closed.

For it was at the eastern gate that the Hungarians planned to try to enter. But the soldiers of the Bishop, fighting bravely before that gate, resisted them, until finally one of the Magyars who was leading the others fell in battle and was killed. When the others saw him fall dead to the ground, they took him and returned to their camp.

At the hour of battle, the Bishop Ulrich, sitting on his horse, clothed with a stole, unarmed by shield or armor or helmet, stood unscathed and untouched while darts and stones were flying around him. When the battle was finished, he went around the city and commanded that towers of war should be suitably established around it and that throughout the night they be built and that the ramparts be renewed as much as time allowed.

The Bishop, however, spent much of the night in prayer, fervently imploring the mercy of the Holy Mary, Mother of God, for the defense of the people and the liberation of the city. The next morning, after saying the Mass, he went out to encourage the troops, recalling the words of the psalmist David, saying “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me.” (Ps 22).

The Prince Bishop in the thick of the battle

After his salutary speech was concluded, when the rays of the shining sun were first illuminating the breadth of the earth, the army of Hungarians encircled the city to assault it with an indescribable multitude from all sides, bringing various instruments for the demolition of the walls.

When they were ready for battle on all sides, and all the defenses of the city were filled with those resisting, the Hungarians, seeing such a multitude in the defenses resisting them, did not dare to draw near the walls, so terrified were they. Meanwhile, when they were prepared for battle forth inside and outside, Berchtolf, son of Arnolf, came to Augsburg to announce the arrival of the glorious Emperor Otto. …

When the Emperor saw such a great army of Hungarians, he thought it could not be overcome by men unless Almighty God deemed to kill them. Trusting in His assistance and strengthened by the consolation of the Prince-Bishop, he began to engage in battle with them. On both sides there was much slaughter, but the glorious victory was given to Emperor Otto by God, for whom nothing is impossible.

Thus did the army of Hungarians finally turn to flight, losing the strength to fight any longer. The Emperor followed them with his men and continued to kill those that he could, and thus returned to Lechfeld in the evening of the day. There, leading the ceremony that night with the Bishop, they honored those who had fallen worthily in battle. …

Today the bodies of St. Ulrich & St. Afra rest in the Basilica that holds their names in Augsburg, Bavaria

Shortly after this, St. Afra appeared again in a vision one night to St. Ulrich, and showed him the placement of her body. So, the Saint had the walls of the Church rebuilt, and did not delay until the exterior was completely covered with tiles and the insid fully adorned and decorated with paintings. He also ordered the ornaments that had been carried off to the city because of the barbarians to be restored.

Later the Bishop ordered a tomb to be dug for himself on the southern side of the outer wall of the church, and he would often go there on Friday and offer prayers and sacrifices there.

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St. Ulrich's cult began immediately after his death in 973. Many miracles were wrought at his grave. Gerhard compiled 30 miracle stories by 993 to support the canonization cause, including cures of blindness, paralysis, and fever, and accounts of demoniacs freed at Ulrich's shrine.

Only 20 years after his death, Ulrich was canonized by Pope John XV on July 4, 993. He was the first saint to be canonized by a Pope, rather than by a local authority. His feast is kept on July 4.

God gave Emperor Otto & St. Ulrich the victory