Paris Forever

The year 885 was one for the record books. In late fall an enormous force of over 700 Viking ships and 40,000 men descended on Paris. With only an army of 220 soldiers to defend the island city, only faith could save Paris:religious faith and faith that Paris was meant to be eternal. This was the Vikings moment in history and they were taking full advantage of it. Culture and social development were threatened by their onslaught. Western civilization was marching forward in the 9th century and Paris was the gateway for the way of life of today. Either the Vikings would stunt that growth or forever do away with it. For reasons that we will never fully comprehend one of the greatest yet unknown men appeared on the scene, Count Odo, Lord Mayor of Paris. He determined to halt this escalation of the Vikings and devised a strategy that, against all odds, brought victory. What was his strategy we can only ponder. There are few written records of this event but we do know one thing for sure, it happened. We also know that this fearless man understood what was on the line and never expected nor wanted any honors. He wanted to do the right thing. In the fall of 885 the Vikings headed up the Seine River to the island city of Paris with over 40,000 men against Count Odo's small army and the peasants of Paris. To hold Paris was impossible but Count Odo drew the line in the Seine. The Vikings would not pass, or Paris would be no more. The following is how the impossible might have happened.