In 886, Paris was under siege. The fearsome Viking raiders, who had plagued the Frankish kingdoms for decades, were at the gates again — this time more organized, more relentless. But instead of ordering an all-out defense, King Charles III (often called Charles the Fat) made a surprising choice: he paid them off.
At first glance, this might seem weak — even cowardly. Yet when we look deeper, Charles’s decision reveals a calculated act of statecraft, one that balanced pragmatism, diplomacy, and realpolitik.
The article is not finished. Click on the next page to continue.
The article is not finished. Click on the next page to continue.
Next page
