Charles MartelCharles Martel (c. A.D. 688–741) became the power behind the throne of the Merovingian dynasty. He saved western Christianity by defeating Islamic invaders from the south and Saxon armies from the northeast. Charles also established the Frankish feudal system which... more (the “hammer”) was the de facto leader of the FranksA collection of Germanic tribes originating near the frontiers of the Roman Empire, which coalesced and eventually came to dominate Western Europe as the Western Roman Empire receded. more as the mayor of the palace and their military leader. He reunified the Frankish kingdoms that had splintered off and stopped the Muslim advance into Europe at the Battle of Tours(A.D. 732) A pivotal battle in which Charles Martel’s infantry repelled an invading Muslim force, effectively halting the Muslim advance and saving European Christianity. more in 732. When he died, his son PepinPepin (c. A.D. 714–768) was a son of Charles Martel, who, with his brother Carloman, ruled over Frankia behind Merovingian figurehead King Childeric III. Carloman retired to live a religious life, Pepin forced Childeric into monastic life, and had himself... more assume the throne of half the kingdom and founded the influential Carolingian dynasty. PepinPepin (c. A.D. 714–768) was a son of Charles Martel, who, with his brother Carloman, ruled over Frankia behind Merovingian figurehead King Childeric III. Carloman retired to live a religious life, Pepin forced Childeric into monastic life, and had himself... more was a shrewd politician. He arranged an alliance with the popeThe Roman Catholic bishop of Rome who is regarded as the successor of the chief apostle, Peter, and as the Vicar of Christ is the holder of the Apostolic See and head of Christ’s church on earth. more whereby PepinPepin (c. A.D. 714–768) was a son of Charles Martel, who, with his brother Carloman, ruled over Frankia behind Merovingian figurehead King Childeric III. Carloman retired to live a religious life, Pepin forced Childeric into monastic life, and had himself... more would help stamp out heresyComes from a Greek term meaning “sect,” and was used by the early Church theologians to identify doctrines that they rejected as not orthodox. The term does not refer to unbelief but ideas held by some baptized Christian that was... more, and the popeThe Roman Catholic bishop of Rome who is regarded as the successor of the chief apostle, Peter, and as the Vicar of Christ is the holder of the Apostolic See and head of Christ’s church on earth. more would support Pepin’s claim to the throne over all of Gaul, including the half ruled by his rival brother. PepinPepin (c. A.D. 714–768) was a son of Charles Martel, who, with his brother Carloman, ruled over Frankia behind Merovingian figurehead King Childeric III. Carloman retired to live a religious life, Pepin forced Childeric into monastic life, and had himself... more secured his rule over Gaul and came to the pope’s rescue when the LombardsA Germanic people who migrated from southern Scandinavia over several centuries, eventually arriving in the Italian peninsula. They conquered the peninsula and established the Lombard Kingdom. By this time, the Lombards were mostly pagans or Arian Christians, generally putting them... more captured the Italian city of Ravena from the Byzantine Empire and were marching to attack Rome. PepinPepin (c. A.D. 714–768) was a son of Charles Martel, who, with his brother Carloman, ruled over Frankia behind Merovingian figurehead King Childeric III. Carloman retired to live a religious life, Pepin forced Childeric into monastic life, and had himself... more defeated the LombardsA Germanic people who migrated from southern Scandinavia over several centuries, eventually arriving in the Italian peninsula. They conquered the peninsula and established the Lombard Kingdom. By this time, the Lombards were mostly pagans or Arian Christians, generally putting them... more and gave this area to the Holy See to govern instead of returning it to the Byzantines. This cemented the symbiotic relationship between the king and the papacyThe office of pope in the Roman Catholic Church which is the highest office in its hierarchical structure. more which flowed down to the next generation. The dynasty reached its peak with CharlemagneCharlemagne (c. A.D. 742–814) was the eldest son of Pepin, who became sole ruler of the Franks upon the death of his younger brother Carloman. Charlemagne dramatically expanded the Frankish kingdom and was crowned Holy Roman Emperor by the Pope... more. He followed Constantine’s approach and made the civil power and the church two departments of his government. During his reign, CharlemagneCharlemagne (c. A.D. 742–814) was the eldest son of Pepin, who became sole ruler of the Franks upon the death of his younger brother Carloman. Charlemagne dramatically expanded the Frankish kingdom and was crowned Holy Roman Emperor by the Pope... more effectively ruled both church and state. He chose and deposed bishops and abbots unilaterally. He convoked and directed numerous councils and made the decisions regarding doctrinal issues. He viewed the popeThe Roman Catholic bishop of Rome who is regarded as the successor of the chief apostle, Peter, and as the Vicar of Christ is the holder of the Apostolic See and head of Christ’s church on earth. more as one of his vassals, having protected him and given the Holy See so much land. (A.D. 750-887)
See also Carolingian Dynasty as an event and on the timeline.
