The First Viking Raids on the Frankish Kingdom (799)

By the late 8th century, the Frankish kingdom experiences its first Viking incursions, marking the beginning of a centuries-long period of Norse raids along the coasts of Western Europe. These attacks, primarily launched in the summer, are carried out by Scandinavian raiders, who return to winter in their homelands before launching further assaults in subsequent years.

The Raid on Noirmoutier (799): The First Viking Attack on Continental Europe

The earliest recorded Viking raid on continental Europe occurs in 799, when Norse raiders attack the monastery of Saint Philibert of Jumièges on Noirmoutier, an island off the Atlantic coast of France. This monastic settlement, located near the mouth of the Loire River, becomes an early target due to its wealth, isolation, and lack of defenses.

This event marks:

• The first known Viking raid on Frankish territory, preceding the more famous Norse incursions into England by decades.
• The beginning of Frankish coastal vulnerability, as monasteries, rich in gold, manuscripts, and relics, become prime targets for Viking plunder.
• A preview of future Viking aggression, as Norse fleets will soon escalate their raids, reaching the Seine, Loire, and beyond.

The Beginning of the Viking Age in Francia

Though sporadic at first, Viking attacks on the Frankish kingdom will grow more frequent and intensify in the 9th century, culminating in major invasions, sieges, and settlements along the Seine and Loire Rivers, and eventually deep into the Frankish heartland. Charlemagne initially dismisses these raids as isolated acts of piracy, but by the reign of his successors, the Viking threat will become a defining crisis of the Carolingian world.