Original subtitles

(intense music)

- [Narrator] Our history is no more than a series

of incredible events.

Every one of us can influence its course.

(intense music)

(speaks in foreign language)

(crowd cheering) (rock music)

The most infinitesimal of our decisions

can influence the future of humanity.

To know the past is to foresee the future.

Paris, Sunday July 27th, 1214.

(bell rings)

At the sound of the Notre Dame Cathedral bells,

the Parisian crowd attends the sacred coronation

of Conrad The Great,

the head of the most powerful state in Europe,

the Holy Roman Empire.

(suspenseful music)

Four centuries earlier, the horrible sacking of Paris

opened the realm to the Vikings

and precipitated the collapse of the Frankish Empire.

Taking advantage of the chaos, the German kings claimed

the former Frank territories,

one by one from The Alps to The Atlantic.

Conrad IV completes the work of his ancestors,

rebuilding the almighty state

to the level of the Roman Empire.

(suspenseful music)

But none of that ever happened.

In 886, a small grain of sand

decided the outcome of the siege on Paris

and allowed the Frankish Kingdom to survive.

(suspenseful music)

June 8th, 793.

The peaceful Lindisfarne Monastery is the target

of a raid by men from the north, the Vikings.

November 24th, 885.

From Paris, several hundred Viking warships

are seen arriving.

911, Rollo, a powerful Viking chief

is granted land in Normandy by the king of the Franks.

These three inextricably linked events are the key moments

of Scandinavian incursions into Europe,

better known as The Viking Age.

(metal screeching) (birds cawing)

Spring 507, Battle of Vouille.

(men screaming)

Clovis, king of the Franks

comes to crush the Visigoth Army.

The warrior king is conquering all of Gaul.

(suspenseful music)

At the end of the Western Roman Empire,

numerous Germanic peoples took control

over the former Imperial provinces.

Among them, the Franks

were particularly ambitious and ferocious.

(soldier grunts)

Originally pagans, they converted to Christianity

under the impetus of King Clovis.

This conversion made it easier for them

to join the Gallo-Roman elites

who where profoundly Christian.

(suspenseful music)

Two centuries later, there kingdom extends

from the North Sea to the Mediterranean.

In 768, Charles I is crowned King of the Franks,

outstanding politician and excellent warlord.

His reign is a long series of conquests.

He quickly dominates Western Europe.

His kingdom is transformed into an empire.

Charles I becomes Charles the Great.

In Latin, Carolus Magnus, Charlemagne.

(speaking in foreign language)

The empire is significantly reorganized.

Many administrative reforms consolidate power.

Ancient knowledge shines again.

(suspenseful music)

In 800, when the Pope crowns him emperor in Rome,

all the Roman commander seems to be resuscitated.

The Franks, once pagan,

become the protectors of Christianity.

At the height of its power,

the Carolingian Empire is invincible.

No one seems capable of challenging it.

- [Ethereal Woman] Welcome to the memory of humanity.

Every historical event, regardless of how small

is recorded and connected.

You only need to change one to upset all the others.

Here, we are able to control time,

analyze and compare billions of events

in order to rewrite history in infinite ways.

(suspenseful music)

The Franks were no strangers to the Romans.

Quite the opposite.

These Germanic people emigrated extensively

during the third century of the Roman Empire

and the period of The Great Migrations.

Although the Romans began by resisting,

they ended up granting them statuses better rated people.

In exchange for territory within the empire,

the Franks agreed to serve

and defended against new invasions.

The invaders became loyal defenders.

At the fall of the empire, the Franks conserved the remains

of the Imperial administration

and inducted Gallo-Roman customs.

The two societies fused to become something new.

(bell ringing) (birds chirping)

- [Narrator] June 8th, 793.

(people chattering)

Lindisfarne Monastery, off the coast of England.

(people speaking in foreign language)

After appearing out of the midst aboard strange ships,

a band of warriors commits the sacrilege

of attacking men of the cloth.

They will leave soon, their arms laden with booty

after having profaned the sacred ground of the monastery

and stripped its altars of ornaments.

(suspenseful music)

For the European Kingdom, this attack is a sad omen.

This announces a new epoch, a new age,

the Age of the Vikings.

(suspenseful music)

(men screaming)

(suspenseful music)

Scandinavia, an immense territory

in the eyes of the Arctic Circle

is progressively colonized by the Germanic people.

The numerous rivers that flown into the deep fjords

soon could rise to an important maritime culture.

(ominous music)

At the end of the eight century, commercial ports emerge.

Seal's skins, walrus' tusks, and slaves

are exchange as currency.

Relations with the kingdoms of Europe start developing.

(ominous music)

These splintered territories

see a distinct political structure emerging.

The Scandinavian society

is built around charismatic leaders.

Fight bravely and bathe the men in riches.

This is what the Vikings expected from their leaders.

The very nature of this system

encourages fierce competitiveness

and is often the source of instability.

(men shouting in foreign language)

In the 9th century, many of them decide to tempt fate

and embark on perilous maritime expeditions

in search of fortune and fame.

This is how Scandinavians going east,

in search of new trade routes,

find themselves on the rivers of Constantinople or Baghdad.

(ominous music)

Other men called Rus settled in

and created what will become known as Russia.

In 870, other expeditions colonized Iceland

and then Greenland.

Some tribes even voyaged as far

as the new Finland, North America,

500 years before Christopher Columbus.

Progressively, these ambitious explorers notice

the weaknesses of the Western European kingdoms.

Their armies cannot protect the entire region.

The rich monasteries are completely devoid of defenses.

For these adventurers, that is all the convincing they need

to switch from trading to pillaging.

(transitions to suspenseful music)

- [Woman] Riders of the sea.

For many people, the word Viking

refers to blood-thirsty pillagers.

However, in ancient Scandinavian,

the word Viking referred to maritime expeditions

in search of riches.

It designated an activity, not a group of people.

One was not born a Viking, one became a Viking

by going on an expedition,

just like one became a pirate by engaging in piracy.

A Viking could just as easily have been a craftsman,

as a fighter, a fisherman, or a rich land owner.

Not all of the Viking ships had a dragon-shaped prow,

however, these marine vessels all shared a unique structure.

The Scandinavians used the term Langskip

when referring to them, meaning longship.

With an average capacity of 70 armed men,

these flat-bottomed, light, yet sturdy ships,

equipped with rowing ventures could go in the shallow waters

of any river and could even be carried

from one river to the next.

With large and resilient sails, these boats allowed

competent seafarers to confront the furies of the ocean.

These boats provided the Vikings with their main source

of strength, speed, and the element of surprise.

On the water, they were illusive.

(suspenseful music)

- [Narrator] Ready and crouching in the bottom

of their boat.

After sneaking up the river under the fog

of the morning midst,

the Viking warriors await the signal of their leader.

(suspenseful music)

No one in the village saw the boat approaching.

The pagan devils seemed to becoming straight from hell.

The bells widely sound the alarm but it is too late.

(villagers screaming)

Using rivers to move quickly, small groups pf warriors

launch deep raids into unprepared realms.

By the time help arrives,

the Viking bands have already left,

taking booty and prisoners with them

as they look for their next easy prey.

(men screaming)

A Scandinavian plague

falls across the Saxon Kingdoms of Great Britain.

They land in Ireland and attacked the Frankish coasts.

No court, no monastery is safe.

Wherever there are poorly defended riches to be had,

the men from the North descend.

Just after the first incursions, Charlemagne responds

by establishing a coastal defense system for the empire.

The Master of Europe does not fear plunderers.

He waits for them with weapons in his hand.

His son, Louis the Pious maintains the defenses

established by his father for many more years.

But upon his death in 840, the Frankish Empire is divided.

Frankish law states that the empire

must be divided among the late king's sons.

This initiates an extended and complex period of problems

for the Frankish empire.

The numerous conflicts between the contenders

for the throne weaken the central power.

Divided, the Imperial authority losses strength.

This is a blessing for the Vikings

who watched as Charlemagne's defense structure

is slowly and inevitably allowed to collapse.

Divided, the empire is fragile.

The Nordic packs will grab their chance

and pounce on the sick beast.

The rivers guide the Vikings to the large Frankish cities.

The wall is pillaged then not end to lose.

Viking leaders gain confidence,

organize major looting campaigns,

set up camps at the source of the river,

and do not even bother to return home for the winter.

(tense music)

The situation is done.

With each passing day, impunity drives them

to attack larger and larger targets.

Even Aix La Chapelle, Aachen,

the former capital of Charlemagne

will be looted and ravished.

In 845, the 120 ships of the leader, Ragnar,

sail up to Seine without encountering any resistance

and attacked Paris.

(tense music)

A large ransom, 7,000 pounds of silver

is paid to make them go away.

This short-term strategy

simply encourages the Vikings to return.

(tense music)

In Northern England, the situation is even worse.

A giant Danish army has created a kingdom.

The men of the North have infiltrated the heart of Europe.

(techno pop music)

- [Woman] The Vikings' strategy rests on speed and surprise,

fear and courage.

The raid has generally avoid pitched battles.

The strong Frankish army is less mobile.

Often, defenders arrive too late.

They're left to helplessly observe the extent of the damage.

They cannot be everywhere at all times,

but the Vikings can.

The only effective defense against the raids

appears to be the fortification of the cities.

By the middle of the ninth century,

major efforts are made to raise the ramparts

and build new forts.

(tense music)

Simultaneously, fortified barricades

are built across the rivers to block the Vikings

from entering the land.

Protecting the Siene,

the Pont-de-l'Arche is the most impressive of them all.

Built over the course of 15 years,

it stops all Viking advances

and protects the inland for many years.

(tense music)

But all fortified structures also depend

on the quality and number of defenders they have.

(man coughing)

(suspenseful music)

- [Narrator] 885, naval barricade of The Pont-de-l'Arche.

(man screams in foreign language)

(suspenseful music)

There are several hundred ships.

The Seine is covered.

On board, dozens of Viking leaders have joined forces

to form an unstoppable army.

The small numbers of Frankish guards

can do nothing to stop them.

Not even the various barricades

leading into the city of Paris

can provide sufficient defense.

For the Viking leaders, Paris is just a necessary step.

The main objective is Burgundy

where there is abundant wealth to plunder.

But when the northern army arrives near the city,

they noticed certain changes.

The ancient Roman walls which had been abandoned

for centuries have been raised and consolidated.

On the river, two fortified bridges

are barring their passage.

(dramatic music)

(men screaming in foreign language)

The city has entrenched itself within the aisle of the city,

the heart of defense.

The ramparts are defended and the doors remain closed.

The Parisians, led by Count Eudes, are determined to fight.

With the path to Burgundy blocked, the Viking expedition

is forced to siege the city.

(suspenseful music)

The Nordic warriors immediately attack the large tower

which is preventing access to the mighty bridge.

The assault is brutal

but the defenses break the Viking spirit.

The warriors are struck by projectiles

and overpowered by the Frankish swords.

This time, brute force just isn't enough.

The Viking leaders understand that they should prepare

for a long battle so they have ramps and catapults built.

(suspenseful music)

Mobile groups are also sent into the surrounding areas

to search for resources.

The first snow will soon arrive.

The assault, even more violent,

succeed in destroying the tower in vain.

Winter arrives.

Count Eudes' defenses are proving to be formidable.

(triumphant music)

The Vikings are now fighting a battle

that they cannot control.

(triumphant music)

In early February, the attackers take advantage

of the flooding of the Seine

to overpower the defenses of the Po-tee-hon,

massacring every single man in the garrison,

(speaks in foreign language)

Let's put an end to this.

Attacking from all sides,

the Vikings launch a widespread assault.

(triumphant music)

It's a fight to the death.

All around, the defenders hold their ground

and send the sons of Odin to join Valhalla.

But Eudes knows that this cannot continue indefinitely.

In the month of May, he discreetly crosses the Viking lines

to search for reinforcements form emperor Charles III.

When he returns to the city,

the Vikings are blocking his way.

If Eudes fails to cross the enemy lines

and return to Paris,

the defenders may lose hope and give up.

(triumphant music)

(man screaming in foreign language)

He has no choice.

Surrounded by his men, he charges straight at the enemy.

(triumphant music)

After a furious scrimmage,

he succeeds in returning to the city.

(triumphant music)

In autumn, after almost one year of siege,

the Imperial Army finally arrives in Paris.

(footsteps thumping)

At its head is Charles III.

(triumphant music)

But the long-awaited battle will not happen.

Charles prefers to negotiate

and offers a tribute and free passage on the river

in exchange for lifting the siege.

The Emperor delivers Burgundy to the Vikings.

(dramatic music)

- [Ethereal Woman] We are now at a point of divergence.

The point of divergence is a key moment,

a crossroads in history where our world

can swing from one side to the other.

Charles III, already weakened by internal conflicts,

ceded in the face of the invaders,

dishonoring all the sacrifices that have been made

by the defenders of Paris.

In 887, sick, he's unseated and totally discredited.

To lead France, the great leaders from the kingdoms

choose the hero who defended Paris.

Count Eudes becomes King of France.

If Eudes have not survived the siege,

especially during his heroic return,

the city of Paris would've definitely fallen

into the hands of the Vikings.

Deprived of an energetic defender,

the Western Frankish Kingdom would probably have fallen

into political conspiracies

and power struggles that normed away at it.

The divided territory would've become easy prey.

(serene music)

Weak, incapable of filling their roles

as protectors of the kingdom,

the Carolingian Kings would certainly

have been permanently chased off their thrones.

We can even imagine a pure and simple annexation

by its powerful neighbor, the Kingdom of Germany.

The Kingdom of France would've never seen the light of day.

(metal shrieking)

- [Narrator] 911, Rollo, Viking leader,

receives the Region of Rolla

from the very hands of the King of the Franks.

In return, he must be baptized,

swear allegiance to the king,

and commit to protecting the kingdom.

(triumphant music)

The warlord, after fighting in the great siege of Paris

a few years earlier,

now finds himself defending the kingdom.

(triumphant music)

These new lands which are soon called Normandy,

the Land of the North Men,

are strategically located at the base of the Siene,

a key invasion point.

In exchange for part of his territory,

the King of the Franks gains protection for his kingdom.

Vikings protecting the Franks against other Vikings.

It's a bold move but will soon pay off.

Like the Franks from centuries before,

the Scandinavians have every interest in integrating.

A structured power of the Franks

allows them to permanently settle down

and to establish the foundations of a strong state.

They rapidly adopt the customs and lifestyles of the Franks.

Soon, they replace their Scandinavian language with French.

Progressively, they also embraced the religion of the empire

and convert to Christianity.

In the hearts of the North men,

gods like Thor and Odin are set aside for Christ.

Soon, the country grows and becomes a Duchy.

The skillful mixture between the Frankish structure

and the Scandinavian power

gradually make the Duchy of Normandy,

one of the most powerful and prosperous principalities

of the kingdom.

And that is just the beginning.

October 14th 1066.

Not far from the village of Hastings, England.

A descendant of Rolla, William II,

who will soon be called William The Conqueror

comes to confront the King of Saxons on his own soil.

(men grunting)

At the end of the day,

he will be the master of the battlefield and the kingdom.

William II, Duke of Normandy,

a descendant of one of the Viking leaders

who previously led the attack on Paris,

becomes the King of England.

But that is another story.

(ethereal music)

- [Ethereal Woman] The Viking phenomenon ends

in the middle of the 11th century.

In a little over 200 years,

they have left an indelible mark in history,

a vivid imprint in popular imagery

and major political consequences.

Braving the most powerful kingdoms of their time,

they saw the weaknesses of their enemies

and deployed their formidable adaptation skills

to shake up the Western world.

(dramatic music)

Taking advantage of a troubled period,

they played an important role in the decline

of the monumental Carolingian Empire.

The most remarkable fact

from the Duchy of Normandy to Medieval Russia

is the Vikings' ability to integrate.

They didn't hesitate to convert to Christianity

or to adopt a new language.

Despite all the violence of the prior expeditions,

they learned to adapt and merge with the local population,

just as the Franks had done many centuries earlier.

By being open to others,

they were able to forge a common future.

(triumphant music)