See ENGLAND: A. D. 855-880. ALSO IN: _C. F. Keary, The Vikings in Western Christendom, chapters 6 and 12._ NORMANS: A. D. 841. First expedition up the Seine. In May, A. D. 841, the Seine was entered for the first time by a fleet of Norse pirates, whose depredations in France had been previously confined to the coasts. The expedition was commanded by a chief named Osker, whose plans appear to have been well laid. He led his pirates straight to the rich city of Rouen, never suffering them to slacken oar or sail, or to touch the tempting country through which they passed, until the great prize was struck. "The city was fired and plundered. Defence was wholly impracticable, and great slaughter ensued. … Osker's three days' occupation of Rouen was remuneratingly successful. {2368} Their vessels loaded with spoil and captives, gentle and simple, clerks, merchants, citizens, soldiers, peasants, nuns, dames, damsels, the Danes dropped down the Seine, to complete their devastation on the shores. … The Danes then quitted the Seine; having formed their plans for renewing the encouraging enterprize,—another time they would do more. Normandy dates from Osker's three days' occupation Of Rouen." _Sir F. Palgrave, History of Normandy and England, book 1, chapter 2 (volume 1)._ ALSO IN: _C. F. Keary, The Vikings in Western Christendom, chapter 9._ NORMANS: A. D. 845-861. Repeated ravages in the Seine. Paris thrice sacked. See PARIS; A. D. 845; and 857-861. NORMANS: A. D. 849-860. The career of Hasting.