In the early Middle Ages, Dorestad, was one of the most important and flourishing cities in The Netherlands. The Middle Ages formed the middle period in a traditional schematic division of European history into three ages: the classical civilization of Antiquity, the Middle Ages, and modern times, beginning with the Renaissance. ... The Netherlands (Dutch: Nederland) is the European part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands (Dutch: Koninkrijk der Nederlanden). ...

It was situated on the banks of the river Rhine near the modern city of Wijk bij Duurstede, on the remains of an ancient Roman fortress. In between 600 en 850 Dorestad was often the subject of war between Frisians and Franks. Dorestad was once the personal possession of Charlemagne. Loreley At 1,320 kilometres (820 miles) and an average discharge of more than 2,000 cubic meters per second, the Rhine (Dutch Rijn, French Rhin, German Rhein, Italian: Reno, Romansch: Rein, ) is one of the longest and most important rivers in Europe. ... Wijk bij Duurstede is a municipality and a city in the central Netherlands. ... The Frisians are an ethnic group of northwestern Europe, inhabiting an area known as Frisia. ... For other uses, see Franks (disambiguation). ... Charlemagne (742 or 747 – 28 January 814) (also Charles the Great[1]; from Latin, Carolus Magnus or Karolus Magnus), son of King Pippin the Short and Bertrada of Laon, was the king of the Franks from 768 to 814 and king of the Lombards from 774 to 814. ...

Because of its success as a trading city, Dorestad drew the attention of Vikings, who frequently raided the city (834, 835, 844, 857 en 873). Historians think that approximately 7000 Vikings were involved in the first raid in 834. For Roerik of Dorestad, who led the raid of 857, see Rurik. Dorestad became the capital of the viking kingdom of Dorestad 850-885. The name Viking is a loan from the native Scandinavian term for the Norse seafaring warriors who raided the coasts of Scandinavia, Europe and the British Isles from the late 8th century to the 11th century, the period of European history referred to as the Viking Age. ... Events First Viking raid of Dorestad. ... Events Ragnar Lodbrok rises to power (approximate date) The celebration of All Saints is made an obligation throughout the Frankish Empire and fixed on November 1. ... Events Succession of Pope Sergius II (844 - 847). ... Events Viking raid of Dorestad. ... Events Viking raid of Dorestad. ... Rurik or Riurik (Old East Norse Rørik, meaning famous ruler) (ca 830 – ca 879) was a Varangian who gained control of Ladoga in 862 and built the Holmgard settlement (Rurikovo Gorodische) in Novgorod. ...

Dorestadt declined in importance as a trading center after the daming of the Rhine to prevent flooding, and was of little importance after 863.