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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.