CARLOMAN

Notes:

Charles Martel "Duke of the Franks"

Mayor of the palace for the last Merovingian kings of the Franks, theillegitimate son of Pepi n of Herstal, and the undisputed head of theCarolingian family by 723. He conducted many camp aigns against theFrisians and Saxons, as well as in Aquitaine, Bavaria, and Burgundy. Hehalte d Muslim expansion in W Europe at the Battle of Poitiers (732).Established as effective rule r of much of Gaul, but never crowned king,he left the kingdom to his sons, Carloman and Pepin , and in 751 Pepin wasanointed as the first Carolingian king of the Franks.

CHARLES MARTEL (688?-741). In 732 Charles Martel and his barbarianFrankish army fought a batt le near Tours, France, that affected thehistory of Europe. Their foes were inspired Muslim, o r Saracen, troopswho were bent on world conquest for the religion of Islam. In a hundredyear s the Saracens had established a vast empire that stretched fromPersia (now Iran) westward ac ross northern Africa. They had gained afoothold in Europe by taking Spain. As they advanced i nto the region thatis now France, the fate of Christian Europe hung in the balance.
Charles met the Muslim forces between Poitiers and Tours. In a fierceand bloody battle th e Muslims were defeated and their leader killed. Inlater campaigns Charles drove them back in to Spain. His vigorous blowsearned him the nickname Martel,rom a French word meaning "hamme r."

This forceful leader never became king of the Franks. As mayor of thepalace under ineffectua l Merovingian kings, however, he was the trueruler. He increased the influence of the Frankis h kingdom in wars againstthe Alemanni, Bavarians, and Saxons. These and other Germanic tribe s hadoverrun Europe when the Roman Empire crumbled. Only the Franksestablished a permanent ki ngdom. (See also Middle Ages; France,"History.")

Charles aided St. Boniface and other missionaries in spreadingChristianity and civilization a mong the barbarians (see Boniface). Hestrengthened the hold of the kingdom over the powerfu l nobles and bishopswho sought to set up independent rule in their districts. He distributedl and to his nobles to gain their loyalty and service as warriors.

Charles prepared the way for his son, Pepin the Short, to gain theFrankish throne. Together t hey laid the foundation for the reign ofPepin's son Charlemagne.

Charles — D'AUTRASIE, Rotrude. Rotrude (daughter of DE TREVES, Lievin and DE BAVIERE, Willigarde) was born Bef 700, Austrasie, France; died 724. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Carolingian Mayor of the Palace. He reunited the Frankish realms.

Pepin II (also called Pippin, or Pepin of Heristal) (died 714), duke ofthe Franks; as leade r of nobles of Austrasia (e. part of kingdom ofFranks), gained great victory over Neustria (w . part of kingdom) atbattle of Tertry 687, which made him master of the Frankish kingdoms;sub dued Frisians and Alemanni; son of Pepin of Landen and father ofCharles Martel.

Pepin — ALPAIDE. (daughter of HUGOBERT) was born Abt 654, Heristal, Liede, Belgium; died 705, Orplegrandmonast, Brabant, Bosges, France. [Group Sheet]

Lievin — DE BAVIERE, Willigarde. [Group Sheet]

married LANDON, Begga Of Abt 635. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Prince of Bavaria.