Near Chartres. What is this “battle of Rollo” which celebrates its 1,111 years in Lèves?

July 911, in the heart of Beauce. Vikings and Franks crossed swords on the lands of the current municipality of Leves (Eure-et-Loir). 1,111 years later, the city of the agglomeration of Chartres put the cover back. From July 8 to 10, 2022, this is an opportunity to set up multiple activities around Viking culture.

“The Battle of Rollo”, that’s its name, will be 1111 years old in a few days. If this name means something to you, it is quite normal because Rollo plays a role within the Lothbrok family in the series “Vikings”. This same Rollo would be at the origin of the foundation of the Normandie.

Another Viking raid towards France

At that time, France, which was divided into three different territories, had been drowned for more than a century by attacks from the North. After the improvement of longships and navigation techniques, the Vikings were able to leave Scandinavia to explore other lands. First by approaching the British coast, and then, further south, towards France.

These warriors go up the French rivers before landing and finally advancing on foot to gain territory from the enemy. In 911, the Vikings swept over western Paris and besieged Chartres (Eure-et-Loir), after taking care of Auxerre, in particular. Following a truce negotiated with Charles III, King of Western France, the Scandinavian resumed fighting.

Unfortunately for him, the siege does not go as well as expected. Chartres is a very nice city fortified and the vikings do not progress. They did not progress so much that they were even forced to retreat after a Frankish counter-attack on the neighboring plains, helped by Burgundian forces who had come as reinforcements for fear that the Vikings would then attack Dijon.

Raise the tipping point of the battle

In difficulty, the Viking armies retreated to the hill of Lèves (Eure-et-Loir), near the Eure. Rollon is placed in height compared to his enemies, but his site is not fortified. Pursued by the Franks, the Vikings must finally leave Lèves by the Eure, at the time navigable by boat. It is said that 6000 men will fall in one day, mostly those in the North. A departure that will not be temporary but definitive. It is therefore in Leves that the devastating expedition of the Vikings is stopped.

The battle of Rollo will result in the creation of the Lordship of Lèves, which will have the function of protecting Chartres downstream of the Eure. A village around a castle now destroyed will develop there little by little before the abbey of Josaphat is built there two centuries later. We can therefore consider the birth of Leves on this date, 911.

From July 8 to 10, Lèves took up arms as 1111 years ago to commemorate this decisive battle in the installation of the Viking tribes in France.

Following his victory, Charles III decided to negotiate the settlement of the Vikings around Rouen, with the Norman chief Rollo. This treaty gave birth to the Duchy of Normandy, in Basse-Seine. In exchange, the Vikings must defend this territory from attacks by other Northmen, on behalf of the Franks.

Here are the activities set up from July 8 to 10, 2022

Friday July 8: Concert by Luc Arbogast at 8:30 p.m. at the Saint-Lazare church in Lèves.

Saturday 9 and Sunday 10 July: reconstruction of a Viking village with weaving workshop, blacksmith, reconstruction of Viking camps, Viking boat, period music, educational farm, taverns for food, Viking banquet on Saturday at 7 p.m.

Shows: “The Viking Battle”, every day at 4 p.m., “The Great Fire Battle” on Saturday July 9 at 9:30 p.m.

From Friday July 8 to Sunday July 10: discovery of archery and shooting training with the Arc Club de la Vallée de l’Eure, fireworks (Saturday at 11 p.m.).

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