# Siege of Paris begins (885)

URL: https://history-france.com/timeline/885-siege-of-paris-begins
Location: Paris
Categories: battle

Viking forces besieged Paris, whose defense made Count Odo a national figure. Within the broader West Francia & Early Capetians period, After the Treaty of Verdun, West Francia developed under Carolingian, Robertian and Capetian rulers. Viking settlement, feudal lordship, church reform and expanding royal authority reshaped the kingdom. At this point in the timeline, the relevant governing authority is Charles the Fat (King of West Francia). Siege of Paris begins mattered because it changed the military or territorial balance and influenced the political choices that followed. The event is positioned here so visitors can read it alongside changes in government, warfare, society, religion, culture and France’s wider international setting.

## Why it matters
Siege of Paris begins mattered because it changed the military or territorial balance and influenced the political choices that followed.

Ruler at the time: [Charles the Fat](https://history-france.com/rulers/charles-the-fat)

## Sources
- [Wikipedia topic lookup — Siege of Paris begins](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:Search?search=Siege+of+Paris+begins&go=Go)
- [Encyclopaedia Britannica topic lookup — Siege of Paris begins](https://www.britannica.com/search?query=Siege+of+Paris+begins)
- [Wikipedia — Timeline of French history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_French_history)