HISTORICAL FICTION

Rollo Attacks Rouen

Chapter 9 — A new Viking kingdom begins in Rouen

The sack of Rouen —

“As their longboats approached the settlement of Rouen the next morning, it was obvious that many people were trying to escape the settlement. With so many longboats filling the river on the approach to Rouen, the fear in the city was palpable.

“Look at them flee,” snorted Halfdan in disgust.

“Just remember, before we pillage the city, we first kill the men and then loot the buildings. Remember as well, that the women and children will be our greatest treasure here. Don’t kill any women or children. Raping will be allowed in good time, but only when the battle is won, not until then. Do you understand? I will kill any man who defies my commands.”

The men approached the town’s wooden gates, killing those men who had been caught outside of the gates before the gates were closed against the approaching Danes. No warrior stopped to rampage, with the senseless slaughter of women and children, or those too old to be a threat. Still, screams of fear soon filled the air. Fear and panic was doing the work of causing those behind the walls to panic. They believed that the same fate would soon befall them. It had been a generation since the last Nordic invaders had terrorized the town.