[Vigilanteman]

Sometime in the years between 774 and 993, the vikings decided to quit raiding, raping and pillaging, took up the French offer to settle along the northeast quadrant of France in return for learning French, converting to Christianity and guarding the Seine against any further raids on Paris, settled Iceland, Greenland and (briefly) Vinland, installed Danish kings in England and united most of Europe (save for the Iberian Peninsula) under Christianity.

IOW, whatever events these were, they had mostly a positive effect on civilization.

[mlo]

"IOW, whatever events these were, they had mostly a positive effect on civilization."

I didn't see a link between these events and the Vikings.

[gleeaikin]

That might explain why in the 100 years after the death of Charlemagne, Europe had 30 major famines some lasting 2 and 3 years. More details after I get a good night’s sleep.