Flodoard of Reims (circa 894 – 28 March 966) was a “canon, chronicler, and presumed archivist of the cathedral church of Reims in the West Frankish kingdom during the decades following the dissolution of the Carolingian Empire”. He was an author of several works including his Annals (Annales) as well as of the history of the Church of Reims and of three (surviving) poems.
The Annals of Flodoard of Reims (covering the years 919 – 966) contain few mentions of the Slavs. Nevertheless, there are some. Here are all those mentions. The translation is that of Steven Fanning and Bernard Bachrach (of Widukind fame).
As an added bonus, we note that Reims itself sits on the river Vesle. Its etymology supposedly goes back to Vesula (the good river) or Vidula (river in the woods) – seemingly of Gallic origin. For the Slavic derivation see here. Regarding the strangely Slavic-sounding names in northern France/portions of Belgium see here. On other mentions of the Vistula (Vidsla, Wyeslale, Wiesle, see here and here).
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[6F] “Henry [king of Germany] was in the lands bordering on the Sarmatians [i.e., Slavs] when he, like Raoul [Rudolf, king of Francia], fell ill and was delayed for the entire summer. Meanwhile, a dispute arose between Gislebert [of Lotharingia] and his brother Ragenarius, as eel as conflict between Otho [son of count Ricinus/Ricwin of Verdun] and Boso [son of Richard the Justiciar]. The result was killings, fires and raids by both sides. The Northmen made a peace with the Franks by oaths, due to the efforts of Count Hugh [the Great], Count Heribert [of Vermandois], and Archbishop Seulfus because King Raoul was absent. However, with the king’s consent, more lands were conceded to the Northmen in a pact of peace, that is, Maine and the Bessin.”
[32D] “King Otto laid siege to Prague*, the great urbs of the Wends. He received their king in subjection and made the Magyars submit to him.”
* Only Flodoard mentions the siege of Prague here. Widukind speaks (at 3.8) of the siege of Nimburg/Nymburk, east of Prague.
[37C] “A very large force of Magyars attacked Bavaria, seeking to invade Francia. King Otto, along with Boleslav, the princeps of the Sarmatians,* and Conrad [of Lotharingia], who was now reconciled to the king, fought against them. He cut down the Magyars, almost annihilating them. However, Conrad, who had fought very bravely that day and had inspired the king to victory, was killed.**”
* Boleslav I (926-967), the duke, or king of Bohemia.
** the reference here is to the Battle of Lechfeld on August 10, 955.
[37D] “After this war, King Otto fought against two kings of the Sarmatians and with the support of King Boleslav,* who had submitted to him shortly before, he gained the victory.”
* Flodoard uses the title “rex“; same form used in Widukind who speaks of Boleslav as king of the Bohemians (at 3.8, 3.69).
[40B] “King Otto made war against the Sarmatians…”
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