Charles Martel Charles Martel (c. 688 – 22 October 741) was a Frankish statesman and military leader




The "Age of the Caliphs", showing Umayyad dominance stretching from the Middle East to the Iberian peninsula, including the port of Narbonne, c. 720
Martel is considered to be the founding figure of the European Middle Ages. Skilled as an administrator and warrior, he is often credited with a seminal role in the development of feudalism and knighthood. Martel was a great patron ofSaint Boniface and made the first attempt at reconciliation between the Papacyand the Franks. The Pope wished him to become the defender of the Holy Seeand offered him the Roman consulship. Martel refused the offer.[8][9]
Although Martel never assumed the title of king, he divided Francia, like a king, between his sons Carloman and Pepin. The latter became the first of theCarolingians, the family of Charles Martel, to become king. Martel's grandson,Charlemagne, extended the Frankish realms to include much of the West, and became the first Emperor since the fall of Rome. Therefore, on the basis of his achievements, Martel is seen as laying the groundwork for the Carolingian Empire.[10] In summing up the man, Gibbon wrote that Martel was "the hero of the age," whereas Guerard describes him as being the "champion of the Crossagainst the Cresce

Charles Martel
Duke and Prince of the Franks
Mayor of the Palace
Charles Martel 01.jpg
The statue of Charles Martel at the Palace of Versailles
Duke and Prince of the Franks
Reign718–741
Coronation718
PredecessorPepin of Herstal
SuccessorPepin the Short
Mayor of the Palace of Austrasia
Reign715–741
Coronation715
PredecessorTheudoald
SuccessorCarloman
King of the Franks (Acting)
Reign737–741
Coronation737
PredecessorTheuderic IV
SuccessorChilderic III
SpouseRotrude of Trier
Swanhild
IssueCarloman
Pepin
Grifo
Bernard
Remigius
Hiltrud
Others
HouseCarolingian
FatherPepin of Herstal
MotherAlpaida
Born688
Herstal
Died741
Quierzy
BurialBasilica of St Denis

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Martel


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