The Carolingian Army and the Struggle against the Vikings
Simon Coupland
When so much writing about the Carolingian military concentrates on era of Charlemagne, this article focuses ninth-century armies which fought Viking invaders, and seeks to discover why Frankish forces were apparently ineffectual against them. One conclusion is that view incorrect, for Franks won a string significant victories. The author looks at different forms defense: coast guard, host, local raised under lantweri, could be more quickly mobilized highly motivated than regular army. size armies, leadership, cavalry are all discussed, together with strategy. concludes Franks’ main weaknesses neither strategic nor military, but political—the internal divisions left them vulnerable outside attack—and external—the Vikings’ tactics avoiding battle establishing camps where they not reached.
Viator