Charles Martel, Mayor of the Palace

Other Events and Attributes:

• Miscellaneous: 714
• Military: 732
• Miscellaneous: say 735

Notes:

Miscellaneous:
When Pépin of Heristal died in 714, Charles Martel had to overcome opposition from the family of Pépin's first wife Pletrude. By 718, Charles had triumphed, gaining not only his father's office of Mayor of the Palace, but also his father's fortune. He then vanquished other Frankish leaders to greatly extend his realm. The Merovingian kings Childperic II (reigned 715-721) and Theuderic IV (reigned 721-737) were mere figureheads, and the Mayor of the Palace possessed supreme authority. Following the death of King Theuderic IV in 737, Charles Martel ruled alone as Mayor of the Palace. Although the throne was vacant, Charles did not attempt to claim it.

Military:
Charles' most spectacular victory came in 732 when he triumphed over an invading Islamic army from Spain at the Battle of Poitiers, also called the Battle of Tours, and is regarded as one of the most decisive battles in the history of the world. The fighting began near Tours, France, and ended near Poitiers. Charles was later called Martel, meaning "the Hammer", because of his victory over the Muslims.

Miscellaneous:
In order to maintain his power, Charles had to engage in continual struggles with various princes, both secular and ecclesiastical. Following his victory at Poitiers in 732, he attacked some unruly bishops including Eucherius of Orléans. Because of this, his memory suffered. During the ninth century, his tomb at the abbey of St. Denis is said to had been opened by the abbot, and a hideous dragon supposedly emerged from a blackened, charred and otherwise barren coffin; thus demonstrating Charles Martel's damnation for despoiling the Church of its property. Later historians at St. Denis said he had taken Church lands only temporarily and had intended eventually to reimburse and further enrich the Church.

Charles married Rotrou of Allemania on Yes, date unknown. Rotrou (daughter of Saint Liévin, Count and Bishop of Trèves and daughter of Rutpert) died in 724. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Pépin "the Short", King of the Franks was born in 714/15 in Austrasia; died on 24 Sep 768; was buried in Basilica of Saint-Denis, St. Denis, Île-de-France, France.
2. Duke Bernard died about 784.
3. Landrée of Hesbaye
4. Jerome

Family/Spouse: Chrotrude. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Carloman "the Elder", Mayor of the Palace died in 754 in Abbey of Monte Cassino, Lazio, Italy.
2. Grifo
3. Chiltrud

Pépin married Aupais. Aupais was born about 654. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Name:
Aupais was a concubine. She was also known as Elphide (Chalpaida).

She had a sister named Dodo.

Other Events and Attributes:

• Title(s): 632

Notes:

Title(s):
He became the Mayor of the Palace to King Siegbert, son of King Dagobert.

Died:
He was murdered.

Ansgise married Saint Begga of Landen before 639. Begga (daughter of Pépin "the Old", Mayor of the Palace in Austrasia and Saint Itta) was born about 613 in Landen, Flemish Region, Belgium; died about 698 in Andenne, Walloonia, Belgium. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Death: Moriarty (1944) and Sewell give her death date as 694.

Name:
She was also known as Saint Bègue.

Other Events and Attributes:

• Miscellaneous: 611
• Religion: From 612 to 629, Metz, Moselle, Grand Est, France
• Religion: 625, Metz, Moselle, Grand Est, France
• Retired: say 640, Remiremont, Grand Est, France

Notes:

Name:
He was the Mayor of the Palace and tutor to King Dagobert.

Miscellaneous:
He was brought up by his great-uncle, Saint Gondoule, who was Mayor of the Palace of Thiebert II, a Merovingian king. Later he was viceroy of his uncle. Around 611, he was Mayor of the Palace to King Thiebert. However, in the summer of 612, he entered holy orders, though retained many of his secular activities.

Religion:
He was the Bishop of Metz.

Religion:
He was present at the Church Council at Metz.

Retired:
Shortly before he died, he resigned is bishopric, and retired to Remirmont.

Arnulf married Clothilde "Dode" about 596. Clothilde (daughter of Arnwald, Bishop of Metz) was born about 586 in Old Saxony. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Religion: 612

Notes:

Religion:
She became a nun at Trèves.

Pépin married Saint Itta. Itta (daughter of Arnwald, Bishop of Metz) died in 652. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• History: birth to death

Notes:

History:
Itta's name was also spelt Iduberga.