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Revision as of 09:14, 30 August 2002 by JHK (talk | contribs) (And Grifo's mother was?)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)Charles Martel (Martel means "the Hammer") (b. ca 688- d. October 22 741) was Mayor of the Palace of the kingdom of the Franks.
He was the son of Pippin of Herstal, Mayor of the Palace of Austrasia, and his concubine, Alpaida. On the Pippin's death in 714, the succession was passed to an infant grandson, Theodoald. The faction of Austrasian nobles who supported that grandson were led by his stepmother, Pippin'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.
In the subsequent decade, Charles led the Frankish army against the eastern duchies of Bavaria and Alamania, and the southern duchies of Aquitaine and Provence. He dealt with the ongoing conflict with the Saxons to the northeast with some success, but full conquest of the Saxons and their incorporation into the Frankish empire would wait for his grandson Charlemagne.
Charles Martel's wives were (1) Chrotrud or Rotrude (690-724)(mother of Pippin & Carloman), and (2) Swanachild.
Charles Martel died October 22, 741 at Quierzy. He was succeeded by his sons, Carloman, Pippin the Short and Grifo.