CHARLES MARTE'L was a natural son of Pepin d'Heristal, duke of Austrasia, and mayor of the palace under the last Merovingian kings. After Pepin's death Charles was proclaimed Duke of Austrasia, A.D. 715. Haviug defeated the king Chilperic II. (719), he obliged him to appoint him mayor of the palace, which iu fact was the same thing as appointing him irresponsible prime minister, with all the real authority, while the king was a mere shadow. In 720 Chilperic died, and was succeeded by Thlerry IV., under whom Charles continued to possess the chief authority in the state. Charles defeated Eudes, duke of Aquitania, and obliged him to do homage to the Frankish crown. He afterwards defeated the Saracens of Spain in a great battle between Tours and Poitiers (732), in which their numerous host was destroyed. He was called Martel (hammer) in consequence of this victory. The battle of Poitiers, and the subsequent conquest of Pro vence, where the Saracens had formed several strongholds, effectually checked the advance of the 31ussulmans into the heart of Europe.
This great victory of Charles Martel has been confounded by subse quent chroniclers and writers of romance with the expeditions of Charlemagne against the Saracens, which were far from being so momentous or so important in their results. Charles Martel also defeated the Frisians, annexed their country to the monarchy, and obliged them to embrace Christianity. He also fought successfully against the Saxons and other German tribes. After Thierry's death (736), Charles Martel continued to hold the supreme authority, under the title of Duke of the Franks, for the rest of his life, no king being appointed to succeed Thierry. Charles Martel died in 741, at Crdcy, on the river Oise, and his two sons, Karlomanu and Pepin, divided the dominions of the Franks between them. Charles Martel was not a favourite with the clergy of his time, because he obliged them to contribute towards the expenses of the war against the Saracens. He also is said to have conferred ecclesiastical benefice, on some of his bravest soldiers.