Ragnar's Raid on Paris: Siege, Tribute, and Legend

In this episode, Lucas and Luna separate the legendary Ragnar from the historical Viking leaders who besieged Paris in the ninth century. They examine the Annals of St. Bertin and the Gesta Danorum, exploring how the Frankish emperor Charles the Bald paid thousands of pounds of silver to make the Northmen go away. The conversation traces the shifting river fleets, the fortified bridge, and the plague that struck the Viking camp, offering a grounded counterpoint to the saga's larger-than-life version. Along the way, they discuss the practicality of the Danegeld, the ambivalence of Frankish chroniclers, and how one man's legend absorbed the deeds of many. The episode ends with a reflection on how we remember the past through the distorted lens of later sagas.

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