Charles Martel

Charles Martel (c. 688 – 22 October 741) was a Frankish statesman and military leader who was Duke and Prince of the Franks.Haine, W. Scott, The History of France (Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, 2000), p. 31 He was also mayor of the palace and the namesake of the Carolingian dynasty.Volkmann, Jean-Charles, A Chronological Look at the History of France (Paris: J.-P. Gisserot, 2001), p. 15 Martel was the de facto ruler of Francia from 718 until his death.Penman, Jim, Biohistory (Newcastle, Cambridge Scholars Publishing, 2015), p. 312 Martel was the illegitimate son of the Frankish mayor of the palace Pepin of Herstal. His mother was a noblewoman named Alpaida.

Martel successfully asserted his claims as successor to his father as mayor of the palace and continued and built on his father's work. He began the series of military campaigns that re-established Frankish power in Gaul. In foreign wars, Martel defeated and ruled Bavaria, Alemannia, and Frisia. He defeated the Saxons and is best known for halting the Islamic advance into Western Europe at the Battle of Tours in 732.Durant, Will. The Age of Faith. New York: Simon and Schuster, 1950. . Page 461. Originally published 1939, .

Martel is considered to be the founding figure of the European Middle Ages and was skilled as an administrator and warrior. Martel is often credited with a key role in the development of feudalism and knighthood. He was a great patron of Saint Boniface. Martel made the first attempt at reconciliation between the papacy and the Franks. The Pope wished him to become the defender of the Holy See and offered him the Roman consulship, but Martel refused the offer.

Although Martel never assumed the title of king, he divided Francia like a king between his sons: Carloman and Pepin. The latter was a statesman who became the first member of the Carolingian dynasty, the family of Charles Martel, and became king. Martel's grandson, Charlemagne, extended the Frankish realms to include much of the West. Charlemagne became the first emperor since the fall of Rome. On the basis of his achievements, Martel laid the groundwork for the Carolingian Empire.

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Category:680s births
Category:Frankish rulers
Category:Carolingian dynasty
Category:History of Germany
Category:History of France
Category:741 deaths