Carolingian Family - Ourfolk
Swanhilde Carolingian (Martel)
She is the daughter of Grimaldo and Viletrude .
Swanhilde was married to Mayor of the Palace of Austrasia Charles Martel .
Mayor of the Palace of Austrasia Charles was born on ABT 676 in of, Heristal, Liege, Belgium and died on 22 OCT 741 in Quierzy, Aisne, France .
He was the son of Mayor Pepin D'Heristal (ABT 635 - 16 DEC 0071) and Concubine Aupais Heristal Alpaide (D'Heristal) (B: ABT 654).
View Family Chart
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| Parents | Grand Parents | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ⌈ Theodon (D: 717) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ⌈ Grimaldo | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Swanhilde Carolingian (Martel) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ⌊ Viletrude | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
became Mayor of the Palace of Austrasia when his father, Pepin II,
died in 714. That year he was imprisoned by his step-mother Plectudis, but
escaped later in the year to lead the Austrasian and Neustrian nobles. The next year,
the new King Chilperic II refused to act as a puppet to the nobles, and was backed
by the Aquitaine duke Eudo, who was by then semi-independent from Frankish
sovergnty. In 719, Charles defeated Eudo and took Chilperic hostage. Eudo's terms
for mercy were that Chilperic would be recognized as sole ruler of the Franks, and
the Charles would control all royal offices (i.e. as Mayor). Eudo had no other
choice but to accept. In 720, Chilperic II died, Theuderic IV became king, Charles
was stripped of his positions, Eudo was able to attain full independence, and
Charles was preoccupied with pushing back Saxon invaders across the Rhine.
CHARLES MARTEL (688?-741). In 732 Charles Martel and his barbarian Frankish army fought a battle near Tours, France, that affected the history of Europe. Their foes were inspired Muslim, or Saracen, troops who were bent on world conquest for the religion of Islam. In a hundred years the Saracens had established a vast empire that stretched from Persia (now Iran) westward across northern Africa. They had gained a foothold in Europe by taking Spain. As they advanced into the region that is now France, the fate of Christian Europe hung in the balance.
Charles met the Muslim forces between Poitiers and Tours. In a fierce and bloody battle the Muslims were defeated and their leader killed. In later campaigns Charles drove them back into Spain. His vigorous blows earned him the nickname Martel, from a French word meaning 'hammer.'
This forceful leader never became king of the Franks. As mayor of the palace under ineffectual Merovingian kings, however, he was the true ruler. He increased the influence of the Frankish kingdom in wars against the Alemanni, Bavarians, and Saxons. These and other Germanic tribes had overrun Europe when the Roman Empire crumbled. Only the Franks established a permanent kingdom.
Charles aided St. Boniface and other missionaries in spreading Christianity and civilization among the barbarians. He strengthened the hold of the kingdom over the powerful nobles and bishops who sought to set up independent rule in their districts. He distributed land to his nobles to gain their loyalty and service as warriors.
Charles prepared the way for his son, Pepin the Short, to gain the Frankish throne. Together they laid the foundation for the reign of Pepin's son Charlemagne.
died in 714. That year he was imprisoned by his step-mother Plectudis, but
escaped later in the year to lead the Austrasian and Neustrian nobles. The next year,
the new King Chilperic II refused to act as a puppet to the nobles, and was backed
by the Aquitaine duke Eudo, who was by then semi-independent from Frankish
sovergnty. In 719, Charles defeated Eudo and took Chilperic hostage. Eudo's terms
for mercy were that Chilperic would be recognized as sole ruler of the Franks, and
the Charles would control all royal offices (i.e. as Mayor). Eudo had no other
choice but to accept. In 720, Chilperic II died, Theuderic IV became king, Charles
was stripped of his positions, Eudo was able to attain full independence, and
Charles was preoccupied with pushing back Saxon invaders across the Rhine.
CHARLES MARTEL (688?-741). In 732 Charles Martel and his barbarian Frankish army fought a battle near Tours, France, that affected the history of Europe. Their foes were inspired Muslim, or Saracen, troops who were bent on world conquest for the religion of Islam. In a hundred years the Saracens had established a vast empire that stretched from Persia (now Iran) westward across northern Africa. They had gained a foothold in Europe by taking Spain. As they advanced into the region that is now France, the fate of Christian Europe hung in the balance.
Charles met the Muslim forces between Poitiers and Tours. In a fierce and bloody battle the Muslims were defeated and their leader killed. In later campaigns Charles drove them back into Spain. His vigorous blows earned him the nickname Martel, from a French word meaning 'hammer.'
This forceful leader never became king of the Franks. As mayor of the palace under ineffectual Merovingian kings, however, he was the true ruler. He increased the influence of the Frankish kingdom in wars against the Alemanni, Bavarians, and Saxons. These and other Germanic tribes had overrun Europe when the Roman Empire crumbled. Only the Franks established a permanent kingdom.
Charles aided St. Boniface and other missionaries in spreading Christianity and civilization among the barbarians. He strengthened the hold of the kingdom over the powerful nobles and bishops who sought to set up independent rule in their districts. He distributed land to his nobles to gain their loyalty and service as warriors.
Charles prepared the way for his son, Pepin the Short, to gain the Frankish throne. Together they laid the foundation for the reign of Pepin's son Charlemagne.
Last change (on this page): 15 OCT 2018