Banners of the Northmen (42 page)

Arriving on November 25, 885, Sigfrid tried to negotiate terms. The dialog of that negotiation as written in this novel is a close paraphrasing of what was documented at the time. In essence, the Parisians would not stand down and Sigfrid had to fight. His first attacks opened the following day. Two bridges blockaded the river, one wood and one stone and each with a tower to defend it. Choosing the northern tower, Sigrid had prepared war machines and understood how to besiege a fortress, but the Franks were equally versed in this style of warfare. They repelled the attack, dousing the Vikings with flaming oil. The Vikings attempted several times, but eventually had to retreat. The next day, they discovered the Franks had worked all night to add more levels to their tower. Now Sigfrid's ladders and siege towers were insufficient.

The Vikings dug in all around the city. They terrorized the surrounding countryside, gathering provisions and anything else they could carry away. After two months of siege, they had wearied of delays and tried a different tactic. They shifted to the southern tower and wooden bridge, launching several feints at the tower before assaulting the bridge. They attempted to fill the shallows with debris, ranging from tree trunks to corpses, anything to create a platform for attack. They failed again. On the third day, they sailed three burning ships at the southern bridge. It was an admirable idea, but the ships sank before fire could catch. However, the attack weakened the bridge a great deal.

By February 6, 886, after several days of steady rain, the bridge collapsed as the Seine overflowed its banks. The southern tower was now isolated and the twelve defenders within refused surrender. They sold their lives well, one of the Franks slaying many Danes before being killed. The Vikings were free to continue up the Seine, and left a holding force behind as they attacked other cities.

Odo used this opening to slip messengers through the Viking lines to reach Charles, who was in Italy. During this same period, reinforcements fought their way into Paris. The new men also brought supplies with them, and raised the Parisian's morale. The Vikings, on the other hand, grew ever wearier of the inaction. By mid-April, 886, Sigfrid offered to leave the battle for a mere sixty pounds of silver. Granted his bribe, he took his men and left Hrolf behind.

There is some contention about the identity of Hrolf, but I have chosen him to be Hrolf the Strider. He remained as the sole "leader" of the Viking force, though those who remained considered themselves all jarls and kings of their own men. In any case, all were hopeful of capturing great treasures. By mid-May, the Vikings' confidence renewed after learning Joscelin had died of the plague that tormented Paris at this time.

Finally, in desperation, Odo slipped out of Paris himself to plead with Charles for aid. He returned, fighting his way back into Paris, with news that Charles was on the march along with Henry of Saxony approaching from the east. The Parisians again celebrated their good fortune, only to see it fizzle. Vikings killed Henry on the march and Charles was lethargic in mobilizing his army. Everyone realized no help was coming soon, and in mid-summer Hrolf decided to launch another attempt to take Paris. Again, the attack was driven back.

At last in October, Charles arrived with the imperial army. He camped at the foot of Montmarte, a hill outside of Paris at that time. He surrounded the Viking camp and was ready to crush the invaders in the teeth of his army. However, the Viking indifference to death and defeat shook Charles's faith in the outcome of the impending battle. Instead he negotiated with Hrolf, throwing away victory and making the criminal decision to bestow everything to Hrolf that Odo and the Parisians had so valiantly fought to deny. He promised seven hundred pounds of silver to be delivered in the following spring if the Vikings agreed to withdraw. He also allowed them free passage of the Seine and employed them in suppressing Burgundia, which had risen against Charles.

Odo was understandably furious. He denied the Vikings passage around his island fortress and vowed to continue the battle. The Vikings had to carry their ships overland to another river and sail to Burgundia.

The siege of Paris demonstrated the key strategic value of that island fortress. Prior to this attack, it had never been used for a capitol or regarded with much importance. Whoever controlled Paris could control all of the center of France.

Anscharic was a true historical figure. Also known as Askericus, he served as the bishop of Paris from the time of Joscelin's death until the end of his life. He came from a powerful family in the Isle de France, and was likely a relation of the Counts of Vermandois. His family had an active history of fighting against the Vikings who raided their lands. Everything else I have presented about Anscharic is fiction. Whether he had ever been a prisoner of Vikings is not known, and if he had lost great treasures, that also remains unknown.

Such were the historical circumstances that Ulfrik moved through in his quest to find his treasure. He has arrived in Frankia at a pivotal time in its history. Charles the Fat has weakened his legitimacy after conceding to the Viking invaders. Hrolf is hungry and homeless, and sees Frankia as a ripe fruit for his picking. Some Vikings have become wealthy and famous, and owe it all to their exploits in Frankia. The land will undergo changes in the coming years, and Ulfrik is poised to exploit them. His Fate is far from complete, and more adventure remains ahead.