The Viking Withdrawal and the Final Decline of Charles the Fat (887)

By spring 887, the Vikings withdraw from France, taking with them the 700 pounds of silver promised by Emperor Charles the Fat. His decision to pay off the Norse invaders rather than fight them is widely seen as an act of weakness, further diminishing his already fragile prestige in West Francia.

Charles’ Actions in Paris During and After the Siege

• During and after the Siege of Paris (885–886), Charles remains in the city, issuing several charters to West Frankish recipients.
• These charters confirm previous rights and privileges granted by his predecessors, particularly in:
  • Neustria, where Viking incursions remain a pressing issue.
  • The Spanish March, reaffirming Frankish control over border territories.
  • Provence, ensuring continued governance of the southern frontier of the empire.
• His contact with Nantes suggests that Charles recognizes the growing influence of Alan I, Duke of Brittany, in the region.

Recognition of Alan I of Brittany as “Rex”

• It is probable that Charles the Fat grants Alan I the right to be titled rex (king) of Brittany, a privilege that only an emperor could bestow.
• Alan I was already the most powerful ruler in Brittany, successfully resisting Viking invasions and expanding his control.
• His claim to the title appears legitimate, as later Breton sources acknowledge it, and a charter dating between 897 and 900 mentions prayers being said at Redon Abbey for the soul of Karolus (likely Charles the Fat), ordered by Alan.

Consequences of Charles’ Rule and the Aftermath

• Charles’ failure to protect France from Viking threats leads to his deposition in 887, marking the final collapse of Carolingian imperial unity.
• Alan I’s rise as King of Brittany reinforces Breton autonomy and weakens West Francia’s territorial control over its westernmost regions.
• The events of 887 contribute to the increasing fragmentation of the Carolingian world, paving the way for the rise of local feudal rulers and dynastic change.

The Viking withdrawal in 887 marks the end of Charles the Fat’s reign, as his failure to defend the realm leads to his downfall, while Alan I’s recognition as King of Brittany cements the region’s growing independence.