Ragnar Lothbrok and the Franks: Diplomacy and Danegeld

In this episode of Fexingo History, hosts Lucas and Luna explore Ragnar Lothbrok's complex relationship with the Frankish Empire. While earlier episodes covered raids and sieges, this one zooms in on the diplomatic side — how Viking leaders like Ragnar (or the figure behind the legend) negotiated with Carolingian rulers such as Charles the Bald. We examine the Danegeld payments, the treaty of 845 that saw Ragnar receive 7,000 pounds of silver, and the long-term effects of paying off Vikings. Did Danegeld encourage more raids, or was it a pragmatic solution? We also look at the Frankish perspective through the Annals of St. Bertin and the writings of Dudo of Saint-Quentin, questioning how much is history versus legend. The episode touches on the Siege of Paris 845 but from a fresh angle — the negotiations afterward and the shifting power dynamics. Finally, we consider the legacy of Danegeld in later Viking activities in Francia and England. A thoughtful look at how violence and diplomacy intertwined in the Viking Age. #RagnarLothbrok #Danegeld #Francia #CharlesTheBald #SiegeOfParis845 #AnnalsOfStBertin #DudoOfSaintQuentin #VikingDiplomacy #Carolingian #TreatyOf845 #DanegeldEffect #VikingAge #NorthernEurope #MedievalHistory #FexingoHistory #History #Podcast #Vikings Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo