Charles the Simple was a king of the Franks who ruled from 898 to 922. He was the son of Louis the Stammerer and became king at a young age. His reign was marked by challenges, including conflicts with nobles and Viking invasions. Charles is known for granting land to the Vikings in exchange for peace, which led to the establishment of the Duchy of Normandy. Despite his efforts to maintain stability, Charles faced opposition from powerful nobles and was eventually deposed in 922. His reign is often seen as a period of decline for the Carolingian Empire, which had been founded by his ancestor, Charlemagne.