… I will to my Lord, be true and faithful, and love all which he loves and shun all which he shuns, according to the laws of God and the order of the world. Nor will I ever with will or action, through word or deed, do anything which is unpleasing to him, on condition that he will hold to me as I shall deserve it, and that he will perform everything as it was in our agreement when I submitted myself to him and chose his will.
-Anglo Saxon Loyalty Oath, mid-10th Century
Charles III, or Charles the Simple, as he is called, was King of France in the early 10th Century. His title of “Simple” comes from the belief of most of his contemporaries that he was a weak and insignificant King. And while as King he did wield little real power or authority, he did manage to do something as King that left his family, his nation, and Western Civilization with a lasting legacy. And it all came down to a desperate choice he made one year in the face of certain defeat.
By the summer of 911 Charles was in a battle for the very life of his Kingdom. France, like the rest of Europe, had been under the terror of the Vikings. Originating from Scandinavia, they would swoop in to raid and plunder towns, villages, and monasteries. No ruler seemed to be able to stop or even hold them. The “Norseman” as they were called had stronger weapons, faster ships, and in this case, were led by a vicious leader named Rollo who seemed to have no interest in peace. The French had only Charles, a small army and no allies.
That’s when Charles came up with an idea. He knew that he couldn’t fend off Rollo with his army & that he didn’t have enough cash to buy him off. So Charles accepted that reality and made Rollo an offer, “come join me”.
Later that year, Charles and Rollo signed the Treaty of Sainte-Clair-sur-Epte. Under the terms of the treaty, Rollo was given land in northern France & a title of Nobility, while Charles gained an ally and defender against future Viking invaders. At the time it probably seemed crazy for Charles to give up land to a Viking, But Charles made a bet that Rollo might start to enjoy life as a noble, with better food, steady income, and the legitimacy of a title. And he did.
Rollo and his descendents began to give up their Viking ways. Eventually the Norsemen became the Northmen who then became the Normans. Over the next 300 years the Normans became more and more European by becoming Christians, building towns, schools, and churches, and turned their land into one of the most prosperous regions in the Middle Ages. Normans became some of the most cultured and productive people in France. The land given to the Normans still bears the name, Normandy, a French province.
And for Charles, it ended up saving his family. Not long after the treaty was signed, Duke Randolph of Burgundy rebelled, took the throne, and sent Charles to prison where he died in 929. Charles’ wife Odgiva and son Louis were given refuge by the Normans. In 936, Randolph was deposed and Louis was given the throne, all with the support and backing of the Normans. Louis reigned as King Louis IV and with Norman support, gave France 19 years of stability and safety.
You see, sometimes leaders find themselves in very difficult circumstances where total “victory” just isn’t an option. When Charles found himself there, he did what he had to do: accept the reality that the Vikings were not going away. Once he did, he was able to effectively deal with Rollo and offer him a chance to be a part of France. At the time it probably seemed crazy, but it was really all he could do. So he did it. And in the long run, it saved France from total annihilation, gave his son a much needed ally, and gave the world the Normans.
So as a leader, ask yourself a question. What realities or “Vikings” do you need to accept and deal with if you’re going to move forward? It may not be easy, but it may be the only thing you can do.
