Viking Raids on Paris

Definition

Throughout the 9th century CE, Viking raids on the region of Francia (roughly modern-day France) increased in frequency, destabilizing the region, and terrorizing the populace. The raids seem to have been inspired by the death of the Holy Roman Emperor Charlemagne in 814 CE or, at least, correlated with it. Charlemagne (king of the Franks, 768-814 CE; Holy Roman Emperor, 800-814 CE) had led numerous military campaigns on Saxony during the Saxon Wars (722-804 CE), slaughtering thousands, and seemed invincible in battle. The Saxons appealed to the Danes for help and Denmark did what it could.

More about: Viking Raids on Paris

Timeline

  • 820
    First Viking raid is defeated by Frankish Shore Guard.
  • 841
    Viking raid under Asgeir sacks and burns Rouen.
  • 845
    Ragnar Lothbrok besieges Paris; is paid by Charles the Bald to leave.
  • 845
    Viking chief Ragnar Lothbrok raids Paris.
  • 851 - 852
    Asgeir returns to sack region from his base at Rouen.
  • 876
    Viking raid of 100 ships loot region of Rouen, only leaving once Charles the Bald pays them 5,000 pounds silver.
  • 885 - 886
    Second Viking raid on Paris; Charles the Fat pays them to leave.
  • 885 - 886
    Viking siege of Paris. Odo of West Francia successfully defends the city.
  • c. 887 - 911
    Rollo the Viking Chieftain raids Kingdom of West Francia at will.
  • 911
    Rollo's treaty with Charles the Simple ends Viking Raids from the Seine in the region. .
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