When did Vikings first attack France, under which King?
The first recorded Viking attack on what is now France happened in 799, during the reign of Charlemagne (768–814). Viking raiders targeted Noirmoutier, an island off the Atlantic coast, marking the beginning of frequent Norse incursions into the Frankish kingdom.
However, Viking raids became a serious and repeated threat during the reign of Charlemagne's grandson, Charles the Bald (843–877). In 845, the Viking leader Ragnar Lothbrok (as legend has it) led a fleet up the Seine River, sacking Paris after defeating Frankish forces. Charles the Bald was forced to pay a ransom to make them leave, setting a precedent for future Viking raids.
Would you like to explore more about Viking raids in France, like their famous siege of Paris in the late 9th century?
How did England come to have a French King, and how long did the English court speak French?
England had a French king due to the Treaty of Troyes in 1420, which arranged for Henry V of England to marry Catherine of Valois, daughter of Charles VI of France. The treaty disinherited Charles VI’s son, the Dauphin, and declared that Henry V and his heirs would inherit the French throne. When Henry V died in 1422, his infant son Henry VI became king of both England and France, creating a dual monarchy. However, this arrangement was contested, and by 1453, Charles VII of France had reclaimed most of the French territories, ending English rule in France.
As for the English court speaking French, it lasted for centuries! After the Norman Conquest in 1066, French became the language of the English elite. The monarchy and nobility spoke Anglo-Norman French, and it remained dominant in government, law, and culture until the 14th century. Henry V was the first English king since the conquest to use English as his primary language, marking a shift toward English dominance.
Would you like to explore how this linguistic shift influenced English society?
Tell me about the Norman conquest; what was the situation in France when this happened?
The Norman Conquest of England in 1066 was a pivotal moment in history, led by William, Duke of Normandy, who became William the Conqueror after his victory at the Battle of Hastings. His claim to the English throne stemmed from his relationship with Edward the Confessor, who had allegedly promised him succession. However, upon Edward’s death, Harold Godwinson was crowned king, leading William to invade England.
Situation in France at the Time
In France, the political landscape was fragmented. The Capetian dynasty, under King Philip I (1060–1108), ruled a relatively weak monarchy, with much of the kingdom controlled by powerful feudal lords. Normandy, though technically a vassal state of France, was one of the most formidable duchies, with William wielding significant military and political power. The French king had little direct control over Normandy, allowing William to act independently in his conquest of England.
Would you like to explore how the conquest reshaped England’s society and governance?
Please...
Absolutely! The Norman Conquest had profound effects on England’s society and governance, shaping its language, laws, and aristocracy.
Impact on Society
New Nobility: William the Conqueror redistributed land to his Norman followers, replacing much of the Anglo-Saxon elite with Norman lords.
Feudal System: The Normans reinforced feudalism, making land ownership more hierarchical and ensuring loyalty through oaths.
French Influence: Norman French became the language of the elite, influencing English vocabulary, especially in law and administration.
Impact on Governance
Centralized Rule: William strengthened royal authority, compiling the Domesday Book (1086), a meticulous record of land and assets across England.
Legal Reforms: Norman customs merged with Anglo-Saxon traditions, laying the foundation for English common law.
Castles and Defense: The Normans constructed hundreds of castles, such as the Tower of London, to assert dominance and deter rebellion.
This conquest reshaped England, creating lasting cultural and political shifts that endured for centuries. Would you like to explore how English and French relations evolved after this period?
So the attack came from Normandy...
Yes! William, Duke of Normandy, launched the invasion from his duchy, crossing the English Channel in 1066 with a fleet and army. His forces landed at Pevensey and went on to fight Harold Godwinson at the famous Battle of Hastings on October 14, 1066. After his victory, William secured the English throne, becoming William the Conqueror.
At the time, Normandy was a powerful duchy within the Kingdom of France but largely acted independently. King Philip I of France (reigned 1060–1108) had little direct control over Normandy, making William’s conquest of England more of a personal venture rather than a French royal campaign.
Would you like to dive into how William ruled England after his victory?
Take me through how the Vikings became dominant in France to begin with...
The Vikings gradually established dominance in France through persistent raids, strategic settlements, and political maneuvering.
Early Raids and Resistance
The first recorded Viking raid on France occurred in 799, targeting Noirmoutier, an island off the Atlantic coast.
Charlemagne, recognizing the threat, built coastal defenses to repel Viking incursions.
Despite these efforts, Viking raids intensified after Charlemagne’s death, exploiting Frankish civil wars to strike vulnerable regions.
The Siege of Paris (845)
In 845, a fleet of 120 Viking ships led by Reginherus (possibly Ragnar Lothbrok) sailed up the Seine River, attacking Paris.
King Charles the Bald attempted to resist but was forced to pay a ransom of 7,000 French livres (over 2,500 kg of gold and silver) to make the Vikings leave.
This set a precedent—Vikings realized they could extort wealth from Frankish rulers rather than just pillage.
The Birth of Normandy
By the 10th century, Viking settlements along the Seine became the foundation of the Duchy of Normandy.
In 911, King Charles the Simple granted land to the Viking leader Rollo, officially recognizing Viking control in exchange for loyalty.
The Normans (descendants of Vikings) assimilated into Frankish culture, adopting Christianity and the French language while maintaining their warrior traditions.
This Viking foothold in France eventually led to Norman expansion, including their famous conquest of England in 1066. Would you like to explore how the Normans shaped medieval Europe?
Where did these Vikings originate; what do we know about them?
The Vikings originated from Scandinavia, specifically Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. They were seafaring warriors, traders, and explorers who, from the late 8th to the late 11th centuries, raided and settled across Europe, reaching as far as North Africa, the Middle East, and North America.
What We Know About Them
Expert Sailors: Vikings were skilled navigators, using longships to travel vast distances.
Raiding & Trading: They raided coastal settlements but also established trade networks across Europe and beyond.
Settlements: Vikings founded Normandy (France), Dublin (Ireland), and Kievan Rus' (Russia), influencing local cultures.
Religion: Initially pagan, worshipping gods like Odin and Thor, but later converted to Christianity.
Social Structure: Viking society had three classes—karls (freemen), jarls (nobles), and thralls (slaves).
Exploration: They were the first Europeans to reach North America, briefly settling in Newfoundland (Vinland).
Their legacy shaped medieval Europe, influencing languages, governance, and warfare. Would you like to explore their impact on France further?
What was their language?
The Vikings spoke Old Norse, a North Germanic language that evolved from Proto-Norse around the 8th century. It was the common tongue of Scandinavia and Viking settlements across Europe, including Normandy, the British Isles, and Iceland.
Key Features of Old Norse
Dialects: Divided into Old West Norse (spoken in Norway, Iceland, and the Faroe Islands) and Old East Norse (spoken in Denmark and Sweden).
Writing System: Initially written in Runes (Younger Futhark), later replaced by the Latin alphabet.
Influence on English: Many words in modern English, like egg, knife, take, and husband, come from Old Norse.
Legacy: Icelandic is the closest modern language to Old Norse, as it has changed very little over time.
Would you like to explore Viking runes and their writing traditions?
Please...
Viking runes were their primary writing system, using the Younger Futhark alphabet. These runes were carved into wood, bone, and stone, and used for inscriptions, magic, and communication.
The Viking Writing System
Runic Alphabet: The Vikings used the Younger Futhark, which had 16 characters, evolving from the Elder Futhark, which had 24.
Purpose: Runic inscriptions were used for memorials, messages, spells, and trade.
Materials Used: They carved runes into stone monuments (runestones), weapons, and everyday objects.
Examples of Famous Viking Inscriptions
Jelling Stones (Denmark): Inscribed by King Harald Bluetooth, marking the conversion of the Danes to Christianity.
Rök Runestone (Sweden): One of the longest known Viking inscriptions, likely containing legends and heroic tales.
Vinland Map (North America): Some theorize the Vikings left runic inscriptions in Canada, though debated.
Over time, as the Vikings adopted Christianity, they shifted to using the Latin alphabet, but rune traditions persisted in Scandinavian folklore.
Would you like to see some runic translations or Viking symbolism?
Yes...
Viking runes were more than just letters—they carried symbolic and mystical meanings. Here’s a glimpse into their translations and symbolism:
Runic Alphabet & Meanings
Elder Futhark (24 runes) – Used from the 2nd to 8th century, each rune had a phonetic sound and symbolic meaning.
Younger Futhark (16 runes) – Used during the Viking Age (9th–11th century), streamlined for efficiency.
Bindrunes – Combined runes used for protection, luck, or personal identity.
Examples of Rune Meanings
Fehu (ᚠ) – Wealth, prosperity.
Uruz (ᚢ) – Strength, endurance.
Ansuz (ᚨ) – Wisdom, divine inspiration.
Raidho (ᚱ) – Journey, movement.
Tiwaz (ᛏ) – Honor, victory.
Symbolic Viking Runes
Vegvisir – A guiding rune, believed to help travelers find their way.
Ægishjálmur (Helm of Awe) – A rune for protection and strength.
Odal (ᛟ) – Inheritance, homeland.
You can explore more about rune translations and their meanings here and here. If you’d like, I can help translate a word or name into runes! What would you like to see?
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