I should mention the part about the “hero” of Paris, Odo. If I had time or opportunity, he would be a figure I would like to do more study on because he was an interesting figure. The Vikings laid siege to Paris around 885 and the people of Paris were holding out and did not want to pay the danegald (tribute to the Vikings in exchange for not having their city looted). This went on for some time, before they had to get help somehow. Finally, Odo managed to sneak past the Viking line and make contact with the Carolingians (when Charles the Fat was king). Odo was assured that the people of Paris would get help. Help finally came….in the form of Charles' danegeld! So the people of Paris held out for all that time for something they could have done themselves. Odo was later elected as king at one point, and after some time relinquished the crown. This is all the more impressive because it was at a time when others were battling with each other fiercely for power. So he certainly earned my respect.
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