The Last Journey of the Vikings - Episode 2

Vikings were attacking the coasts of Western Europe.  They eventually made their way to the Frankish Kingdom, where they were halted.  The Frankish defenses were too strong for the Vikings and they had to retreat.  The Franks were ruled by a great king and that king’s name was Charlemagne.  Charlemagne ruled vast amounts of territory and worked on converting everyone under the king to Christianity.  What happened when Charlemagne came face to face with the Vikings?
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Charlemagne expanded his empire to include Friesa and Saxony.  The people were forced to convert and the pagan sacred trees were cut down and burned.  These two territories were the closest to the Vikings.  They also traded with the Vikings over the years.  Eventually, Charlemagne would come into conflict with the Vikings.  To prepare for the Viking invasion, Charlemagne ordered coastal defenses to be built and a coast guard.  The initial Viking invasions were rebuffed by the strong defenses.  Charlemagne was determined to prevent the Viking advance.

Many chieftains gave up on invading the Frankish kingdom and went to conquer easier targets.  Others decide to side with Charlemagne, becoming allies.  For a while, the attacks ceased and maybe ceased for good.  During this time, the Vikings became known as blood-thirsty pirates.  They pillaged and looted whenever they could.  Oddly enough, this leads to an increase in trade.  Trading centers developed along the rivers.  Scandinavian goods became highly prized throughout Europe.  Honey, mead, jewelry, pelts, and other goods were traded across long distances.  The trading centers were home to skilled craftsmen and women.  Trading posts became important sites and it was important for rulers to control them.  They became centers of political power.

The trading posts would soon become the focus of conflict between the Franks and the Vikings.  The Rerik trading post was attacked by the Vikings.  The Danish King was helping defend Saxons.  The Danish King was trying to consolidate his power.  In the Year 808, King Gudfred ordered the destruction of the Rerik trading post.  Rerik was a significant trading post and had a lot of income.  King Gudfred did not want to let that income fall into the wrong hands.  He took many of the craftsmen of Rerik, thus securing an income for his empire.  He was after power over the Baltic Sea Trade. 

Charlemagne did not take this sack of Rerik lying down.  Peace negotiations were held but did not end in peace.  Charlemagne ordered the creation of a garrison.  Soon Charlemagne and Gudfred came into conflict.  The Vikings were poised to strike the Frankish empire.  Suddenly, Charlemagne heard that Gudfred died.  The fledging Danish empire was torn apart.  Four years later, Charlemagne died and soon the Frankish empire was plunged into Civil War. 

The Vikings saw an opening and invaded the Frankish kingdom.  They started invading the coast and were able to move inland because there was no defense from the Franks.  The local leaders aligned themselves with the Vikings.  Charlemagne could gather support to defend against Vikings.  The heirs to his kingdom were not so fortunate.  The Vikings were able to penetrate deep into the Frankish kingdom and take what they wanted.  If a town did not want to be invaded by the Vikings they had to pay a large sum of gold or silver. 

Eventually, the Vikings invaded Paris.  What happened during this invasion?  How did the locals respond to the Viking invasion of Paris?  Tune into the documentary to find out more.

This episode told the story of the Frankish kingdom and the Vikings, which was interesting.  It also transitioned into how the Vikings immigrated to other places.  If you have time to show any additional documentaries on the Vikings, I would show episode two of The Last Journey of the Vikings.