History of Charles Martel

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Charles Martel (Martel, the Hammer ) was the (most likely) illegitimate son of Pepin II, Mayor of the Palace of Austrasia? and his concubine Alpaida. On the death of Pepin in 717 the succession was passed to an infant grandson. The faction of Austrasian nobles who supported him were led by his stepmother, Pepin's widow, Plectrude. Charles, who was already an adult, led a rival faction and prevailed in a series of battles against both invading Neustrian? Franks and the forces of Plectrude. Between 718 and 723, Charles secured his power through a series of victories and by winning the loyalty of several important clerics. This he accomplished in no lettle way by donating lands and money for the foundations of abbeys such as Echternach?.

Charles Martel (Martel, the Hammer ) was the (most likely) illegitimate son of Pepin II, Mayor of the Palace of Austrasia? and his concubine Alpaida. On the death of Pepin in 717 the succession was passed to an infant grandson. The faction of Austrasian nobles who supported him were led by his stepmother, Pepin's widow, Plectrude. Charles, who was already an adult, led a rival faction and prevailed in a series of battles against both invading Neustrian? Franks and the forces of Plectrude. Between 718 and 723, Charles secured his power through a series of victories and by winning the loyalty of several important clerics. This he accomplished in no little way by donating lands and money for the foundations of abbeys such as Echternach?.