Ragnar Lothbrok, a legendary Viking hero, is known for his great exploits and conquests. Among his many feats, one of the most famous is his supposed attack on Paris.
But did he really lead a raid on this grand city Let’s explore the evidence.
Background
Paris was not always the capital of France. In the 9th century, it was a prosperous trading city and had become an important center of Christianity. The Franks, who ruled over much of modern-day France at the time, were constantly at odds with their Viking neighbors to the north.
In 845 AD, a large fleet of Vikings sailed up the Seine River towards Paris. According to historical accounts, they were led by a chieftain named “Reginherus” or “Reginheri,” which some people believe was a Latinization of Ragnar Lothbrok’s name.
The Siege
The Viking fleet reached Paris in March and began to lay siege to the city. The defenders were caught off guard and ill-prepared for such an attack. However, after several weeks of fighting, they managed to repel the invaders.
The Vikings withdrew from Paris but not before extracting a hefty ransom from its inhabitants in exchange for sparing their lives and leaving their city intact. According to some sources, this was one of the largest ransoms ever paid in history up until that point.
Evidence
While there is no concrete evidence that Ragnar Lothbrok himself led this raid on Paris, there are several clues that suggest he may have been involved:
- The Similarity of Names: As mentioned earlier, “Reginherus” or “Reginheri” may have been a Latinized version of Ragnar’s name. This would not be unusual, as Vikings often had multiple names and titles that were used interchangeably.
- The Timing: The siege of Paris occurred around the same time that Ragnar was known to be raiding other parts of Frankia.
It’s possible that he saw Paris as a lucrative Target and decided to lead an attack on it.
- The Ransom: The amount of money demanded by the Vikings was so large that it suggests they had some sort of high-ranking leader among them. Ragnar, as a famous and successful Viking chieftain, would fit this description.
Conclusion
While we may never know for certain whether Ragnar Lothbrok led the attack on Paris, the evidence suggests that he may have been involved in some way. Regardless of who led the raid, it remains one of the most famous events in Viking history and has captured the imagination of people for centuries.
The story of Ragnar Lothbrok and his exploits continues to inspire and fascinate people to this day. Whether he attacked Paris or not, his legacy lives on as a symbol of Viking power and heroism.