Duke Eberhard of Franconia, a scion of the Conradine dynasty, had been a loyal supporter of the Liudolfing king Henry I of Germany (919–936).

After the king's death however, he soon entered into conflict with his son and successor, Otto I, who did not see himself, as his father did, as primus inter pares.

[1] However, Thankmar was soon slain by Otto’s followers in the church of Eresburg (938), and Eberhard of Bavaria was replaced by his uncle Berthold.

King Otto achieved at first a victory over the rebels in the Battle of Birten, close to Xanten, although he could only pray and watch on the other side of the Rhine.

They received support from Louis IV, from Otto's brother-in-law (Hedwig's husband) Hugh the Great and other important West Frankish rulers.