Who commanded the Viking fleet during the siege of Paris in 845?
Reginherus commanded the fleet of 120 ships carrying over 5,000 men. Historical sources tentatively identify this Norse chieftain with the legendary saga figure Ragnar Lodbrok.
Questions about Siege of Paris (845)
Short answers, pulled from the story.
When did the Vikings arrive in Paris during the siege of 845?
The Vikings arrived in Paris on Easter Sunday the 29th of March 845. They entered the city to plunder it after defeating one division of the Frankish army along the Seine.
How much ransom did Charles the Bald pay to end the siege of Paris in 845?
Charles paid a ransom of 7,000 livres of gold and silver to secure the Viking departure from Paris. This substantial sum marked the first of 13 payments known as danegeld made by the Franks to Viking raiders.
Why did the plague break out in the Viking camp during the spring of 845?
A plague broke out within the Viking camp while they occupied Paris during the spring of 845. The Norse had been exposed to the Christian religion before falling ill and later attributed the disease to the power of Saint Germain of Paris.
Where was the Frankish army divided to defend against the Viking fleet in 845?
King Charles assembled an army divided into two parts to defend each side of the river Seine. He was determined to prevent the destruction of the royal Abbey of Saint-Denis near Paris.