Charles Martel

Lore & Background

Charles, nicknamed 'Martel' in later chronicles, was a son of Pepin of Herstal and his mistress, possibly second wife, Alpaida. Older historiography commonly describes Charles as 'illegitimate', but the dividing line between wives and concubines was not clear-cut in 8th-century Francia. After Pepin's death in December 714, Charles was imprisoned by Plectrude, Pepin's first wife, to prevent him from contesting the succession of her grandson Theudoald. Charles escaped before the end of 715 and was acclaimed mayor of the palace over Austrasia. He suffered his only defeat at the Battle of Cologne in 716 but turned the tide with victories at the Battles of Amblève (716) and Vinchy (717). He then took Cologne, dispersed Plectrude's adherents, and proclaimed Chlothar IV king in Austrasia. By 718, after defeating an alliance of Chilperic II and Odo the Great at the Battle of Soissons, Charles secured recognition as mayor over all the Frankish kingdoms.

Reader's Guide

Charles Martel's significance lies in his consolidation of Frankish power and his military victory at the Battle of Tours, which is credited as an important factor in curtailing the spread of Islam in Western Europe. He restored centralized government in Francia, building on his father Pepin of Herstal's work, and re-established the Franks as undisputed masters of Gaul. Alongside his military endeavors, Charles has been traditionally credited with an influential role in the development of the Frankish system of feudalism. At the end of his reign, he divided Francia between his sons Carloman and Pepin; Pepin became the first king of the Carolingian dynasty. Charles's grandson Charlemagne extended the Frankish realms and became the first emperor in the West since the Fall of the Western Roman Empire. Charles's legacy thus includes both the immediate stabilization of Frankish rule and the foundation for the Carolingian Empire.

Did You Know?

• Charles Martel was a great-grandson of Arnulf of Metz.
• The Battle of Cologne was the only defeat of Charles's career.
• Charles's son Pepin became the first king of the Carolingian dynasty.
• Charles's grandson Charlemagne became the first emperor in the West since the Fall of the Western Roman Empire.