Muslim Invasions: Charles Martel Born

August 23, 686 - Charles Martel is born to Pippen the Middle and his mistress Alpaida. Charles would go on to assume his father's title of Mayor of the Palace and de facto ruler of the Franks. After consolidating his hold on power, Charles earned his moniker "The Hammer" at the Battle of Tours (left) in 732. Badly outnumbered, Charles' professional army beat back repeated attacks from the Umyyads and ultimately drove them from the field. The victory at Tours aided in saving Western Europe and Christianity from the Muslim invasions and is considered a turning point in European History.

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