A wall of ice that halted the Islamic invasion into Europe.
Here is the story of Charles Martel and the heroic men who saved Christendom.
π§΅... x.com
Here is the story of Charles Martel and the heroic men who saved Christendom.
π§΅... x.com
Background: The Islamic Invasion
After the Umayyad Caliphate swept through the Iberian Peninsula after its invasion in 711 A.D., they wanted to continue their conquest of Christian lands. As a result, they began to march into Gaul.
This caught the attention of Charles Martel and the Frankish Kingdom.
After the Umayyad Caliphate swept through the Iberian Peninsula after its invasion in 711 A.D., they wanted to continue their conquest of Christian lands. As a result, they began to march into Gaul.
This caught the attention of Charles Martel and the Frankish Kingdom.
Background: Charles Martel and the Franks
The Franks emerged as a key power in Western Europe, consolidating its power through strong military buildup, strategic alliances, political maneuvering and strong ties with the Catholic Church.
One of those alliances was with Odo the Great, the Duke of Aquitaine. This strategically helped them and created a united front against common enemies.
The Franks emerged as a key power in Western Europe, consolidating its power through strong military buildup, strategic alliances, political maneuvering and strong ties with the Catholic Church.
One of those alliances was with Odo the Great, the Duke of Aquitaine. This strategically helped them and created a united front against common enemies.
Prelude to Battle
Umayyad forces, also referred to as the Moors, under command by Abd al-Rahman al-Ghafiqi, conducted several successful raids, including capturing Bordeaux and devastating the region around the Garonne River.
Many believed they would raid and destroy the basilica of St. Martin of Tours next. Therefore, Martel saw this as an immediate threat and began positioning his united and highly trained army to make a stand at Tours.
Umayyad forces, also referred to as the Moors, under command by Abd al-Rahman al-Ghafiqi, conducted several successful raids, including capturing Bordeaux and devastating the region around the Garonne River.
Many believed they would raid and destroy the basilica of St. Martin of Tours next. Therefore, Martel saw this as an immediate threat and began positioning his united and highly trained army to make a stand at Tours.
The Battle: The Wall of Ice
Under the veil of the surrounding forest, the Franks took the high ground and waited for the impending Muslim cavalry charge.
On October 10th, 732 A.D., as the weather began to turn cold, the Moors began their charge. However, Martel and his men with all their armor and iron (roughly 60 lbs.), stood firm like ice frozen together with shield and sword in hand.
Under the veil of the surrounding forest, the Franks took the high ground and waited for the impending Muslim cavalry charge.
On October 10th, 732 A.D., as the weather began to turn cold, the Moors began their charge. However, Martel and his men with all their armor and iron (roughly 60 lbs.), stood firm like ice frozen together with shield and sword in hand.
The Turning Point
The defining moments in this battle were twofold: One was the infantry defense of the Franks, and the other was the death of Abd al-Rahman al-Ghafiqi.
Without him, leadership was in disarray and morale was severely low.
The defining moments in this battle were twofold: One was the infantry defense of the Franks, and the other was the death of Abd al-Rahman al-Ghafiqi.
Without him, leadership was in disarray and morale was severely low.
Result
Due to massive morale loss and the death of their commander, they retreated in full force.
Islamic advance for the time being was halted and the Franks won this decisive victory that saved Europe.
Due to massive morale loss and the death of their commander, they retreated in full force.
Islamic advance for the time being was halted and the Franks won this decisive victory that saved Europe.
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