definition of battle of tours

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This Day In History : October 10

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Battle of Tours

At the Battle of Tours near Poitiers, France, Frankish leader Charles Martel, a Christian, defeats a large army of Spanish Moors, halting the Muslim advance into Western Europe. Abd-ar-Rahman, the Muslim governor of Cordoba, was killed in the fighting, and the Moors retreated from Gaul, never to return in such force.

Charles was the illegitimate son of Pepin, the powerful mayor of the palace of Austrasia and effective ruler of the Frankish kingdom. After Pepin died in 714 (with no surviving legitimate sons), Charles beat out Pepin’s three grandsons in a power struggle and became mayor of the Franks. He expanded the Frankish territory under his control and in 732 repulsed an onslaught by the Muslims.

Victory at Tours ensured the ruling dynasty of Martel’s family, the Carolingians. His son Pepin became the first Carolingian king of the Franks, and his grandson Charlemagne carved out a vast empire that stretched across Europe.

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The History Hit Miscellany of Facts, Figures and Fascinating Finds

Battle of Tours: Its Significance and Historical Implications

Celeste Neill

01 oct 2018.

On 10 October 732 Frankish General Charles Martel crushed an invading Muslim army at Tours in France , decisively halting the Islamic advance into Europe.

The Islamic advance

After the death of the Prophet Muhammed in 632 AD the speed of the spread of Islam was extraordinary, and by 711 Islamic armies were poised to invade Spain from North Africa. Defeating the Visigothic kingdom of Spain was a prelude to increasing raids into Gaul, or modern France, and in 725 Islamic armies reached as far north as the Vosgues mountains near the modern border with Germany .

Opposing them was the Merovingian Frankish kingdom , perhaps the foremost power in western Europe. However given the seemingly unstoppable nature of the Islamic advance into the lands of the old Roman Empire further Christian defeats seemed almost inevitable.

Map of the Umayyad Caliphate in 750 AD. Image credit: Public Domain, via Wikimedia Commons

In 731 Abd al-Rahman, a Muslim warlord north of the Pyrenees who answered to his distant Sultan in Damascus, received reinforcements from North Africa. The Muslims were preparing for a major campaign into Gaul.

The campaign commenced with an invasion of the southern kingdom of Aquitaine, and after defeating the Aquitanians in battle Abd al-Rahman’s army burned their capital of Bordeaux in June 732. The defeated Aquitanian ruler Eudes fled north to the Frankish kingdom with the remnants of his forces in order to plead for help from a fellow Christian, but old enemy: Charles Martel .

Martel’s name meant “the hammer” and he had already many successful campaigns in the name of his lord Thierry IV, mainly against other Christians such as the unfortunate Eudes, who he met somewhere near Paris . Following this meeting Martel ordered a ban , or general summons, as he prepared the Franks for war.

14th century depiction of Charles Martel (middle). Image credit: Public Domain, via Wikimedia Commons

The Battle of Tours

Once his army had gathered, he marched to the fortified city of Tours, on the border with Aquitaine, to await the Muslim advance. After three months of pillaging Aquitaine, al-Rahman obliged.

His army outnumbered that of Martel but the Frank had a solid core of experienced armoured heavy infantry who he could rely upon to withstand a Muslim cavalry charge.

With both armies unwilling to enter the bloody business of a Medieval battle but the Muslims desperate to pillage the rich cathedral outside the walls of Tours, an uneasy standoff prevailed for seven days before the battle finally began. With winter coming al-Rahman knew that he had to attack.

The battle began with thundering cavalry charges from Rahman’s army but, unusually for a Medieval battle, Martel’s excellent infantry weathered the onslaught and retained their formation. Meanwhile, Prince Eudes’ Aquitanian cavalry used superior local knowledge to outflank the Muslim armies and attack their camp from the rear.

Christian sources then claim that this caused many Muslim soldiers to panic and attempt to flee to save their loot from the campaign. This trickle became a full retreat, and the sources of both sides confirm that al-Rahman died fighting bravely whilst trying to rally his men in the fortified camp.

The battle then ceased for the night, but with much of the Muslim army still at large Martel was cautious about a possible feigned retreat to lure him out into being smashed by the Islamic cavalry. However, searching the hastily abandoned camp and surrounding area revealed that the Muslims had fled south with their loot. The Franks had won.

Despite the deaths of al-Rahman and an estimated 25,000 others at Tours, this war was not over. A second equally dangerous raid into Gaul in 735 took four years to repulse, and the reconquest of Christian territories beyond the Pyrenees would not begin until the reign of Martel’s celebrated grandson Charlemagne.

Martel would later found the famous Carolingian dynasty in Frankia, which would one day extend to most of western Europe and spread Christianity into the east.

Tours was a hugely important moment in the history of Europe, for though the battle of itself was perhaps not as seismic as some have claimed, it stemmed the tide of Islamic advance and showed the European heirs of Rome that these foreign invaders could be defeated.

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The Battle of Tours - 732 AD      fr   de ,   en ,  

Charles Martel was a ruler of the Carolingian Frankish Empire in the early 8 th century AD. The empire encompassed the territories of much of modern day France, western Germany, Switzerland, as well as Belgium and the Netherlands, and was the dominant Christian power in Western Europe at the time. Having won a civil war between two competing kingdoms in 724, Charles had secured his position as head ruler of the entire Carolingian Empire, but had not yet been granted the title of King.

Although he was constantly repelling Saxon and Bavarian armies, as well as other threats, the empire was for the most part secure. Charles supported St. Boniface and other missionaries in their efforts to convert all remaining German tribes to Christianity as a way of uniting his region. The European continent was slowly becoming more prosperous and stable. But a new threat had begun working its way towards the heart of Western Civilization 100 years prior to Charles’ rule.

Islam Expanding

In the Middle East, the religion of Islam was formed in 622 AD. The region was quickly united under the new religion and then began to conquer more distant lands. By 711 Islamic armies had crossed the Gibraltar Straight and entered into Europe by way of present day Spain. It was from here that they began to set up new kingdoms and seek to conquer other parts of Europe, primarily for plunder of any type of treasure they could find.

The indigenous peoples of Europe referred to the Islamic invaders as the Saracens. From Spain the door stood wide open for the Saracens to enter into France, the conquest of which would have likely been followed by all the rest of Europe, and might have resulted in the banishment of Christianity from the Earth. At this time Christianity was not universally known or practiced, even by those nations which we today regard as the foremost in civilization. Great parts of Britain, Germany, Denmark, and Russia were still pagan and barbarous.

In 712 the Saracens entered into France and began pillaging the region for treasure. In 725 Anbessa, the Saracen governor of Spain, personally leads an army across the Pyrenees Mountains into France and takes the strongly fortified town of Carcassone. During the battle he receives a fatal wound, and the Saracen army retires into the nearby town of Narbonne before retreating back to the safety of Spain.

In 732 the Saracens invade France again under the command of Emir Abdul Rahman Al Ghafiqi Abd al Rahman. They reach Bordeaux and begin to lay siege to the town when they get word of rich treasures in the Basilica of St. Martin in the city of Tours. They set off towards this area with the intent to plunder it for all it's worth.

Up to this point, the Carolingian Empire, ruled by King Charles, had no need to oppose the Saracens since they had not invaded any of his territories. The area of the Saracens plunder had been Aquitaine, an independent kingdom in southwestern France ruled by King Eude. Having learned of the damage being done to his neighboring kingdom, Charles becomes convinced of the danger presented to his territories. If Aquitaine were to be defeated, his kingdom would surely be next. Charles begins to march an army towards the Saracen invaders to confront them on his own terms.

While Abd al Rahman is advancing towards Tours, he receives intelligence regarding the advance of Charles and his army. He decides to fall back on Poitiers in order to occupy a more advantageous field of battle. Charles, leading an army of such size rarely seen in Europe, crosses the Loire River and joins the remains of the army of Aquitaine.

They come in sight of the Arabs on October 10 th , 732. The enemy spots Charles and his army and at first hesitates. The two armies remain camped, staring each other down, for seven days. Abd al Rahman at last gives the signal to attack. The Saracens rush the Franks with all their might but the Frankish front line holds. The battle rages on until late in the day, when a terrible clamor is heard from behind the Saracen army. It is King Eude, attacking the Saracen camp, stealing all of their ill-gotten plunder. The Saracen army frantically rushes back to protect their possessions.

In this moment of confusion the Franks advance. Abd al Rahman is killed in the chaos. The Saracens regain control of their camp. By this time the sun is beginning to set, and Charles decides to wait until the next day to resume combat, not wanting to risk losing any more troops at night.

The next morning the Franks awake early and assemble their army, expecting to rejoin battle with their enemy. They wait, but no enemy appears. They cautiously approach the Saracen camp and find it completely empty. The Saracens had taken advantage of the night and begun their retreat back towards Spain, leaving most of their plunder behind. As the battlefield was surveyed that day, it was realized that a vast number of Saracen men had been slain. The Franks counted their losses and found that only 1500 of their men had been killed.

Charles is finally proclaimed King of the Carolingian Empire, and for his enormous victory he receives the surname of Martel, "The Hammer". He would later become the grandfather of Charlemagne. The Carolingian Empire becomes the Holy Roman Empire, with Charlemagne proclaimed Emperor by the Pope on Christmas Day, 800 AD. This empire survives for over 1000 years until it is formally dissolved in 1806.

The battle of Tours marks a major turning point in the history of Western Civilization. One where the spread of Islam into Europe was reversed, and Christianity begins to give the people of Europe something more in common with each other. By the year 1000 AD, the continent would be doing fairly well. It would be generally free from foreign attack and steadily creating a more prosperous future.

Do not assume that I have come to bring peace to the earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. Matthew 10:34

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73 - 209 - Thanks for the detailed story of the Battle of Lepanto… as a dedicated lover-of-Venice, I have seen the paintings in the Doges Palace and knew of its significance. Here are the details. As noted, this ranks w/the defense of Vienna in 1683(?); check,as well, the legendary defense of Malta sometime in the late 1400’s; as deep as it gets.

71 - 187 - Thank you so much for this.

71 - 189 - You're welcome. Thank you for reading.

71 - 204 - Too kind :) Thanks for reading Karen.

71 - 203 - Wonderful precise information, Thanks so much !

69 - 177 - Sorry, but I do wish people who write articles mentioning astrology would go to the trouble of actually learning about astrology. The zodiac has nothing whatsoever to do with constellations, apart from the Greeks giving names to the signs from some of the constellations at that time. The zodiac was designed by ancient Babylonians, based on their calendar of 12 (and occasionally 13) lunar months, with 12 equal signs fixed to the March equinox. It has always been about the signs. The Western Tropical Zodiac will always begin with 0 degrees Aries on the March equinox and the stars have no relevance to this at all. The precession of the equinoxes and the alleged astrological ages are a minor oddity which astrologers generally have very little interest in.

69 - 186 - If the stars have no relevance to astrology, what relevance do the planets have? Are the positions of the planets determined in relation to the “signs” as given by astrology, or are their positions determined in relation to their apparent positions relative to the ecliptic and the stars visible in that celestial band.? If we’re to disregard the apparent positions of the stars, why bother to observe the positions of the planets, either?

69 - 199 - This article is about precession, which is obviously tangential to astrology, but the article never mentions the word. I'm not sure what you're going on about. The subject matter, especially in reference to constellations, is absolutely appropriate, as the ancients clearly were concerned about the positions of stars and planets, to think otherwise is absurd. The Egyptians understood the ages beginning and ending with certain star positions, whoever built the lion sphinx statue aimed it at Leo (the Lion CONSTELLATION), which tells us that it was likely built during that zodiacal age. I'm not sure how you can disregard the obvious tie-ins to key moments in history with what's marked out in the sky via constellations.

66 - 176 - Truly David Livingstone was a greatest missionary and explorer in Africa no one else other than him from Europe has left such a record. He will always be remembered for his great work in Africa.

64 - 128 - Wonderful story. Excellent history. Great Christmas Song too! Especially Luke 6:38

64 - 130 - I enjoyed playing piano recitals of Good King Wenceslas as a child - for the old folks in the nursing homes in our town. Thank you for the history on this beloved King.

64 - 135 - Thank you Teresa for your kindness to the elderly. Nursing homes are filled with lonely souls who sincerely appreciate such acts of generosity.

64 - 210 - I’ve played this for years! even posted a recording on YouTube under “Safe Sax Trio” from December 2020. it has a special connotation as Mi amor,Blanka, is Czech, born and grew up in Prague,Bohemia…St.Wenceslas being the patron Saint of the Czech People.????

61 - 95 - h

60 - 125 - "The Indo-Europeans were a people group originating in the plains of Eastern Europe, north of the Baltic and Caspian Seas in present day Ukraine and southern Russia." Surely you meant the Black sea and not the Baltic....

60 - 126 - Ha, yes I meant the Black Sea. Thanks Pgolay.

56 - 83 - Wild temperature swings throughout the years!

56 - 84 - Indeed! All the more reason to be thankful for the forests we are enjoying today.

55 - 137 - Interesting article! I'm curious, what were the sources about Hippocrates and his communications with Athens and Persia in regard to the plague?

55 - 138 - Thank you! Hippocrates' own writings on this subject have been translated into English. Wesley D. Smith has some good modern English translations: https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0674995260 Artaxerxes sends a letter to Hippocrates begging for help: "the renown of whose techne has reached even to me, as much gold as he wants, and anything else that he lacks in abundance, and send him to me" Hippocrates replies: "Tell the King I have sufficient food, clothing, and shelter, and all the necessities that I require for life, and that I have no wish for Persian wealth or to save foreigners from disease, since they are enemies of the Greeks."

55 - 145 - I really like Athens because it is truly a unique place with a rich history and unique distinctive features. Of course, there are a great deal of reasons to fall in love with this city because it’s a true calling card of Greece. After reading your article, I became more convinced that it is an incredible city in which ancient traditions and modernity harmoniously intertwine with each other into a single whole. It is so cool that you mentioned the Temple of Poseidon because I think that it’s such a wonderful way to delve into the history of Athens and feel the atmosphere of ancient times. I think that Athens is the best city in Greece for wine connoisseurs because it seems to me that you can try delicious and rare Greek wines there, getting unforgettable impressions. Art and culture in Athens are so incredible and multifaceted that it can’t leave you indifferent. It is an indisputable fact that the halls of the Museum of Cycladic Art are impressive in their scope and they have very interesting interactive expositions. It is so cool that there are so many incredible things and I think you will always find something to look at.

43 - 14 - Interesting article. An enjoyable read. Thanks

43 - 15 - Glad you enjoyed it!

40 - 149 - I was wondering where that cross at the top of the page is located? It is quite impressive and I stare at it a great deal! If you can help me I would greatly appreciate it! God bless you!!!

40 - 152 - William, The peak is Punta Selassa in the province of Cuneo, Italy. You can hike to the cross starting from the village of Calcinere on the Po River in the valley below. God bless you too!

39 - 81 - IS IT Possible to buy a hybrid checknut IMMUNE TO THE BLIGHT?

39 - 116 - very good information,we have many of these trees in our neighborhood. they were originally planted in the 1930's when the area was a berry farm and orchard. they have now spread over about a 50 acre residential area growing in just about any vacant space and producing huge amounts of nuts. Gig harbor washington.

39 - 180 - god, I had never heard of this. what a tragic story. Those forests must have been a true sight to see.

39 - 181 - I appreciate that you mentioned that chestnut trees are included in our holiday experience. My aunt mentioned last night that she and my mother planned to have information about hybrid chestnut trees for the farm project development they want. She asked if I had any idea what would be the best option to consider. I love this helpful article, I'll tell her she can consult a trusted hybrid chestnut trees service in town as they can provide information about their trees.

39 - 184 - This is incredibly sad. We have lost so much….thank you…anyone who has protected this wonderful, God given tree.

38 - 65 - Wow! That was quite an ordeal.

38 - 124 - Amazing story! Growing up in the Antelope Valley (Edwards AFB's location), we heard of a great number of accidents as really smart and competent test pilots pushed the limits of technology. My dad knew one "sled driver" who flew sailplanes as a hobby!

37 - 61 - The Frost Fair sounds like fun.

37 - 62 - Interesting article. This is the first I've heard of " Frost Fair ".

37 - 63 - I imagine it would be a lot of fun. Spontaneous community events like this always have a unique feeling to them.

37 - 64 - It was definitely a special phenomenon in the history of England.

36 - 11 - Very informative article. I love watching the lady play the organ at church and have always wondered what's under the hood.

36 - 12 - A very interesting and informative article. I have often wondered what the stops were for. The history and description of operation answered many questions.Thankyou.

36 - 13 - Glad it could help Kim. There is certainly quite a bit going on inside of these beautiful machines.

36 - 79 - Very well thought out article. I ran a small organ shop for 40 years that built some major organs around the world - one in Toyota-shi Concert Hall with about 4000 pipes. I am now retired, but want to write a book to pass my thoughts on to future generations of organ builders. Could I borrow some of the historical information you put together as you have said so much with less words and really good. Thanks!

36 - 80 - Thanks for your kind words John. Yes please use whatever you feel would be useful, just reference this website as a source. The goal of this website is to simply pass on our history to future generations. So if I can help with your book at all please reach out to me. Use any of the images or references in this article if you think they would be useful.

36 - 87 - A most helpful article which has answered many questions The organ is fascinating and invaluable. It hasn’t yet replaced orchestras

36 - 88 - A very interesting article, but who squeezed the bellows? Was it done by boys and how many and would they have been building up the air pressure for a time before the organ was to be played?

36 - 89 - In all my research I found that a volunteer from the church would power the smaller organs. For larger organs someone was paid to pump the bellows. These larger ones would have 3 or more bellows.

36 - 96 - Liked it! Very useful

36 - 140 - The article mentions that Roman and Byzantine organs were made of bronze (copper + tin) pipes, but there's nothing mentioned about modern organs. Are they made of brass (copper + zinc)?

36 - 188 - Thanks for this great article

35 - 58 - Such an incredible voyage.

35 - 59 - you should write an article about cook's third voyage

35 - 60 - Its in the works, check back here in a few months. Glad you enjoyed this one.

34 - 54 - This article is a nice little gift for the upcoming Christmas season.

34 - 55 - The song touches my life day by day and I needed musical copy of the same (notation). Thanx

34 - 56 - thanks NOEL! I pick a theme for Christmas each year and this is it for 2019. Christmas is everyday - as Jesus is with us everyday, renewing us with his love! Noel! Maria

34 - 57 - Great choice! True that Jesus is with us every day, not only around Christmas. Merry Christmas Maria

33 - 52 - Nice article!!!

33 - 53 - Thank you! It was a lot of work but I think it turned out not half bad.

31 - 46 - This makes me curious as to why Christianty succeeded spreading predominately westward from its Roman epicenter, yet failed doing the same eastward. Any ideas?

31 - 47 - How does the basilica and its parts like the nav relate to the Christian ceremony?

31 - 48 - Hi! I'm an architecture student and I would like to know what are other examples of Early Christian Churches and also their parts (name of the rooms, space, etc.); I just wanted them as references for my future subjects :D Thanks a lot

31 - 49 - I would have to do some more research on the later years of Christianity, but I would say that Christianity did spread eastward. This was likely halted by the pushback of Islam in the seventh century. Egypt was as much of a Christian stronghold as Rome until the Muslim conquest in the seventh century.

31 - 50 - The Nave is a space specifically reserved for procession of the choir or acolytes from the entrance towards the front of the church. Church goers sit in pews on the outer sides of the nave. Next is the Transept, which is where a priest or minister gives the sermon. Above that and at the front of the sanctuary is the choir loft.

31 - 51 - I spent quite a bit of time researching the churches in this article and these were the oldest ones I could find. If I find more I will certainly add them to the article. See the comment above for a list of the separate rooms of a church. Thanks for reading and good luck to you in architecture school!

31 - 75 - Are there any other examples of early Christians of this time period translating roman civic buildings into their new society?

31 - 76 - Ben, the churches listed in this article are the earliest ones that I could find that were constructed originally for the specific purpose of housing Christian worship services. Other churches exist from this time period that were simply converted from the worship of Roman gods. The Temple d'Auguste et de Livie in France is one such example. So old Roman temples were converted to churches but there is very little evidence that Roman civic buildings were converted to churches.

31 - 90 - Hello, thank you for an intresting article. Would you recommend any online resources or books one could use to explore Christian Architecture space? I will appreciate your feedback.

31 - 91 - Monuments of the Early Church by Walter Lowrie was my main source for this article. You can read it here . Other than this book, there are very few sources available for architecture of the early church, so I had to look at individual churches and compare them to established architectural norms from the rest of society at the time. There are plenty of resources available for church architecture after 1000 AD, such as Britannica.

31 - 97 - hi,this is malar.thank you for your wonderful and helpfull article. i need an article about egptian civilization like this. did you have any idea about preparing it?

31 - 98 - Glad you enjoyed it Malar. I have not thought of looking into Egyptian architecture. But it would certainly be interesting to see if the architecture made some kind of progression as the centuries went on. I may look into that in the future, thanks for your suggestion!

31 - 101 - Hi, i enjoyed reading your post. I wanted to know in what period does Paleo-Christian architecture took place?

31 - 103 - Thanks! Paleo-Christian describes the time period before the Byzantine Era. This could be before the dedication of Constantinople in 330, or before the Age of Justinian in the 6th century.

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31 - 117 - Hi, thank you for all the historic information here. Please can you throw more light on how the church started under the trees and haw they transcended to church buildings. Thanks.

31 - 200 - One of the most iconic features of early Christian architecture is the basilica plan, characterized by a rectangular nave, side aisles, and an apse.

30 - 112 - Thank you for the story of 3 amazing musicians

30 - 113 - Thanks for reading David!

30 - 133 - beautiful story! i love her work and im so happy her storys getting told more and more

30 - 178 - I was watching the movie song of Love and I wanted to find out some different questions and this website popped up and I was mesmerized. I love this! Thank you for sharing this

30 - 179 - Thank you for reading! I have never seen that movie, thanks for recommending it.

30 - 190 - Wonderful story, on May 7th I am going to Toronto for the concert in memory of Brahms(it his birthday),very excited !

30 - 191 - That sounds amazing! I hope you enjoy the concert, thanks for reading.

30 - 212 - i first learnt it from my piano teacher,but i love this story,so i decided to search it up.Your web was the first to pop up, so i clicked in and discovered a lot more deeper in their relationship.Overall,i love your informational text!

30 - 213 - i first learnt it from my piano teacher,but i love this story,so i decided to search it up.Your web was the first to pop up, so i clicked in and discovered a lot more deeper in their relationship.Overall,i love your informational text!

29 - 44 - What a beautifully written and illustrated article.

29 - 45 - Thanks Paul. Its a lot of fun to put yourself in the shoes of people in the past, and try to see the Universe from their perspective.

29 - 104 - I enjoyed your paper very much. Thank you for writing it.

29 - 201 - Thanks for the wrintings please provide more coz i loved these ones.

28 - 42 - Makes one wonder: without horrific barbarism, would have global civilization expansion been delayed?

28 - 43 - The threat of unexpected attacks probably did motivate people to work together a little more for the purpose of defense. I would say that adversity of any kind betters individuals as well as civilization as a whole.

27 - 40 - Wowzers! I can't wait till the next solar eclipse!!!

27 - 41 - I loved your blog article. Really Cool. dkekkcedkdca

26 - 37 - This website really helped me when doing an assignment on James Cook! Thanks so much for the great information on here

26 - 38 - write an article about his third voyage as well

26 - 39 - Glad it could help Ben! I have an article about Cook's third voyage in the works so check back here in the future. Thanks for reading!

25 - 36 - Thank you Janet! I try to make these articles as short and concise as possible but most of the time they end up being so long because there's just so much to say. Glad to hear I accomplished those goals on this article and I'm glad you enjoyed it!

25 - 35 - Enjoyed your history of personal wealth. Quick, easy to read and understand and interesting! Looking forward to reading the other articles. Thank you for sharing Janet ( In California )

25 - 169 - Very nice… I really like your blog as well as website. Very useful information and worth reading. Thanks.

24 - 71 - Thank you for your summation of the Christmas Truce. I was searching for the hymn, "Dona Nobis", when I came across your article. Now I can share both historical items with my nine-year-old granddaughter who is very interested in what our soldiers have endured and done for us.

24 - 72 - Thank you for reading Susan. I'm happy to hear that younger people are interested in our ancestor's sacrifice for us. Its wonderful that you're taking the time to talk to her about these kinds of things, they are not easy to hear or completely understand. When she is older you could share another article I have regarding The Great War titled Western Civilization prior to World War I .

24 - 93 - I heard about this truce many years ago and just had to try and find the background. I have thought of this for many many years and it pulls at my heart strings every time I hear Silent Night. Nit being directly connected to Military I wonder, “do this truce still happen each year on Christmas Eve?” I sure hope it do. War is such a terrible thing. My wish is for everyone lot live in peace. What a wonderful world it would be.

24 - 214 - very cool article.

24 - 215 - Hi, why this passage

23 - 25 - Years ago we sang with a quire the song Dona Nobis. During that song I had to sing English text. The words were if I rember well If I had word... Do you happen to know where I can find this version of Dona Nobis. Gr, Frans Pennings Cuijk. Holland.

23 - 26 - If this is in reference to the Mozart traditional Dona Nobis Pacem that is commonly featured many times on U Tube etc, The one with 5 verses each of different melody. why can it not be found as a recording, cd or whatever for sale, anywhere. Do you know a source? John P. Thank you.

23 - 27 - lovely

23 - 28 - I live in a retirement village and am aged 80. Eight of us, with the aid of one who was a music teacher, are trying to learn Dona Nobis Pacem to sing at our village's annual variety concert - without an accompanist! Please wish us luck! :)

23 - 29 - 1. Snobbish attitude towards "folk Music) 2. Peace is welcomed all the year round, not only at Christmastime.

23 - 30 - Frans, If you are wanting to download the version on this page you should try this link below. They have three versions of the song there. If you are looking for a version of the text in another language please let me know and I will make a page with the text in that language for you. http://www.westminsterdayton.org/music/listen.html

23 - 31 - More like a distain for what is called "academic." I agree but the point still stands that it is sung more often around Christmastime.

23 - 32 - Good luck Margaret. Our Men's choir in Sydney sang another (non-Mozart) version of Pacem. Halfway through, we froze, and only slowly found our peace.

23 - 33 - Thank you, John. Hope we don't freeze, but then it's warmer up here in Brisbane. :)

23 - 34 - Good luck to you Margaret! Post a link to your performance if at all possible. This is a beautiful song and every rendition is unique.

23 - 92 - no

23 - 121 - I must say I'm really impressed by the nice write-up you have here. You actually did a great job, unlike most bloggers I've seen on the internet talking about this same topic. Just reading the first few paragraphs, I was already locked in the content. Bravo and keep up the good work. If you have the time, I would appreciate it if you could help me rate my blog .

23 - 127 - Thank you for providing this service! My husband and I are doing a concert at a retirement home tomorrow (voice and Ukrainian bandura) with a mixture of Ukrainian and other music,and I couldn't locate the sheet music to check what to say about this song's origins in the introduction. I typed Dona Nobis Pacem into Google, and boom, there was your article with exactly what I needed! 16th-17th century unknown German composer.

23 - 134 - Bach's "Dona Nobis Pacem" in his great B minor mass is as beautiful as music or man can get.

22 - 119 - not good

21 - 22 - Abd al Rahman needed just a little more patience. Islam would take over Europe. Sadly,the pride, heritage and national boundaries of these countries are disappearing.

21 - 23 - Damn i love history i hope i dont die soon so i can see the advancement of modern society.

21 - 24 - That does appear to be the case at the moment. But it is anyone's guess what the next era in history will be like.

21 - 82 - This is a great summary of the Battle of Tours. It amazes me that this great battle is not more known to western society. As you say in the final para "a major turning point in western civilisation" yet very few know it.

21 - 86 - Thanks Peter. I wish we were taught more history in general but especially events like this one. We all have an amazing story.

21 - 85 - If you do then make sure to write your experiences down somehow. People in the future will be very interested in your perspective.

21 - 114 - Tg

21 - 171 - Thanks, I love history and believe that it is important for us all to understand our past so that we can learn from our mistakes. This article gave me heaps of info. Thanks for being willing to take the time to help others learn about our past. It truly is amazing - Anonymous

19 - 18 - Thanks for an astute summary. I am currently reading Barbara Tuchman's book on this period "The Proud Tower". What an amazing era. Such hubris. Such arrogance. Unfortunately, as always those taking the risks and making idiot decisions did not pay the bill. In fact they became more wealthy out of the war. What do you thing the next period in world history will bring? At least today there is no irrational optimism about the future as at the end of the nineteenth century. Maybe that is a start?

19 - 19 - Very interesting and insightful. Perhaps an article on the Lost Generation would be a good companion piece. I believe WW2 broke out in 1939, not 1940 (unless one counts the Asian-Pacific theater in which hostilities began in 1937).

19 - 20 - The end of any era in history severely challenges a culture's values. If you were to question national pride or absolute duty to your country prior to WWI you would likely have been executed. This shows just how entrenched cultural values can be. That being said, any prediction of what the next era in our history will be would be offensive to just about anyone who read it. I will guess that a civil war in England will be the event at which historians in the future will determine as the marker for the end of the Modern Era. I tend to wish there was more irrational optimism about the future in our time. WWI was a tremendous event matched only by the 30 years war or the Plague in its destructiveness. Maybe quite a bit of our cultural energy was destroyed as a result of the Great War. Thank you for the book recommendation, I'll definitely give it a look.

19 - 21 - Thanks for the suggestion! I will add that to my list of future articles. The great thing about writing these is that in doing the research you find so many ideas for new articles. Fixed the date too, thank you RT.

19 - 136 - Hitler was not good!

19 - 173 - What is a troy a reference to?

18 - 17 - This explanation is an oft-repeated myth. The bedrock is deeper below the surface in the areas below Canal Street than it is in region from the Flatiron district up to 42nd between. See http://observer.com/2012/01/uncanny-valley-the-real-reason-there-are-no-skyscrapers-in-the-middle-of-manhattan/

18 - 198 - Engaging read! This post brilliantly unpacks the geological foundations of NYC, underpinning its architectural prowess. It's the unseen hero of the city's skyline.

17 - 70 - A very interesting piece of history.

17 - 73 - Glad you enjoyed it!

17 - 74 - Love reading history raise of christianity.

17 - 99 - wow! so interesting. helped so much!

17 - 100 - is this site credible?

17 - 102 - It is as credible as the available source material. I list all references on each article. If you have a different perspective please feel free to email me or leave a comment. Thanks for reading!

17 - 107 - Thanks for this information. This helped me a lot! :D

17 - 108 - Thanks for this information. This helped me a lot! :D

17 - 111 - HI

17 - 115 - Very interesting information. How the living religion, Christianity has spread around the world like this miracle is an open proof that JESUS is living and He changes lives and a help in times of helplessness.

17 - 118 - Constantine was a jerk

17 - 120 - thanks

17 - 139 - Very nice article I am a student and this helped me learn a lot in the 6th grade!

17 - 144 - Very Good!

17 - 142 - Very interesting about his conversion to Christianity

17 - 143 - learning heaps

17 - 146 - Interesting

17 - 147 - Constantine is a very interesting bloke. Thanks to all the chaps at Classic History!

17 - 148 - thanks

17 - 156 - This is a great resource of knowledge for my kindergarteners!!!

17 - 158 - Thanks Ian! I'm happy it has helped!

17 - 159 - I love this cite! very credible 10/10 great resource for some fun reading!

17 - 175 - love it !!!

17 - 185 - i dont like this cause it didnt talk about MLK

17 - 206 - ????????????

17 - 205 - stupid

17 - 202 - You are so fake. There is no god. Shut up, just, shut up!

17 - 207 - Very good

17 - 211 - All thanks to Jesus,for his mercy

17 - 216 - this app is so amazing it js makes me want to slap eian

16 - 16 - Meine Mutter war eine geborene Bach.Besteht Event.eine Verbindung zu Johann Sebastian?Ich wurde es unbedingt wissen wollen .Irgend wo ist mir das ubermittelt worden.Bitte helfen Sie mir.Danke im Voraus-

15 - 182 - I'd like to use the above graphic as a sidebar to an upcoming equinox post at EarthSky. My article informs the reader of the intriguing fact that the tip of a shadow stick (gnomon) follows a straight (west-to-east) path on the day of an equinox. If given permission, I plan to credit the graphic to Classic History and to provide a link to this Eratosthenes page. Thank you for your consideration!

15 - 183 - Bruce, Yes please feel free to use anything you want so long as you reference this website as a source. Here is a slightly larger resolution image. Thanks for reading!

13 - 166 - Please include date of publication as I am trying to cite this article for school

12 - 10 - I was intrigued by Origin of Romanticism, how it changed its meaning over in a short span of time. From its lovers escapade into beautiful spots of nature to non- tangent expression of emotion and dramatism. thank you very much for this insight. grateful - sheera Betnag

12 - 69 - And wonder how it might change in the future as well. Glad you enjoyed the article and thank you for reading Sheera.

12 - 150 - This post was truly worthwhile to read. I wanted to say thank you for the key points you have pointed out as they are enlightening.

12 - 208 - As a Chinese, I've got the origin of romance! Thank u a lot.

9 - 0 - test'

5 - 151 - how should i reference this website?

5 - 153 - You could use Source: www.ClassicHistory.net Author: Thomas Acreman

4 - 7 - Keep on writing, great job!

4 - 8 - Congratulations. Agrees with the Welsh versions I was taught at school in the 1930s and 40s and what I read and gathered afterwards. I am now interested in finding out how much effect would 350 year of Roman rule have had on the Britons and why was it that the Romano Britons were so complacent and lax to be overtaken by the pagan immigrant settlers from Saxony in c400B.C.

4 - 9 - Thanks so much! I plan to keep on writing for years. My goal is to write at least one article per month.

4 - 78 - Thanks Gordon. I should have read my own title, where it was named Britain.

4 - 77 - "The island nation currently known as England?!" That's funny; I live here, and we call it Great Britain.

4 - 131 - Misspellings: "every forrest and hillside" (forest) "the furry of battle" (fury) "He employed them all to weather their captivity with bravery and courage, and to be strong men and women" (implored? impelled?) "an ivory thrown" (throne)

4 - 132 - Thanks JD. This is one of the first articles I wrote for this website and I really need to rewrite it.

4 - 167 - This story does, at least, acknowledge that the tale of Julius Caesar conquering Britain is not true! JC was ejected more than once. It was Cartimandua who betrayed Caradoc.. in the time of Claudius. BTW… No celts in Britain which was named for Brutus, grandson of Anaeas of Troy. Anaeas also features in the story of the founding of Rome. I.e., the peoples were related. The Cymry were not ‘primitive’!

3 - 1 - I love visiting the cross but, there's one thing that drives me nuts. Vietnam was not a war it was an armed conflict, not one of the 5 presidents that were in office during this time [1945 to 1972] did NOT declare war on the Viet Cong nor on North Vietnam.

3 - 3 - Are small weddings allowed Infront of the cross ?

3 - 4 - What camera was used here?

3 - 2 - Indeed, but the purpose of the cross is to remember those who answered their call to service and how much better the world is for their sacrifice. To that goal I think the cross does a fine job.

3 - 5 - I am not affiliated with Sewanee in any way but yes, I have seen a wedding there. It looked very peaceful and beautiful. There is a link to their website on this page which would be a good place to look for a contact number for the University.

3 - 6 - I believe I just used an old iPhone 4s for both of these photos.

3 - 109 - Why are those who severed in the Civil War not memorialized as well?

3 - 110 - Because the cross was originally built to memorialize those who served and died in World War I. Plaques were only added for those who served in wars after WWI. It was ultimately decided that the cross would only serve as a memorial for those who served and died in wars during the 20th century. From The University of the South: "Sewanee’s Memorial Cross honors the students and alumni of the University of the South and the Sewanee Military Academy and the citizens of Franklin County who fought and those who lost their lives in service to their country in the wars of the last century."

3 - 161 - Can someone in a wheelchair be able to get to the cross fairly easy?

3 - 162 - Yes, parking is available at the cross and the walkway to the cross is only slightly uphill.

2 - 0 - Nice article. The lake actually rarely freezes and only enough to walk on less than once every 10 years and only for a few days. In 2006 it was 29 days but otherwise it is clear and the ferries run year round.

-1 - 66 - Thanks for sharing your thoughts on History. Regards

-1 - 67 - I enjoyed your article on Charles Martel. Thank you for maintaining this beautiful site!

-1 - 68 - Thank you! I enjoyed researching and writing that one too. Thanks for reading and Merry Christmas.

-1 - 193 - Thanks very much for this mentally engaging, attention-grabbing articles. This content is right up mu intellectual alley, and I'll be a regular frequenter.

-100024 - 106 - test comment!! ©

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The Battle of Tours - A Decisive Fight for Europe’s Future

• Read Later  

The early medieval world of our ancestors was built upon struggles and decisive battles. The emerging nations united the broken tribes, expanded their borders, conquered their enemies, and often enough - fended off invaders. But rare are the battles that really left a long lasting impact that echoed through the generations that followed.

Rare are such conflicts that changed the history of the world with their importance and decided the future of us all for centuries to come. And one of those rare, world-changing battles is the Battle of Tours - fought in 732 AD between the Christian Frankish forces and the invading Muslim Umayyad Caliphate.

This fierce and destructive conflict, that shaped the future of Europe and echoed through time, was a great gamble, fought against all odds. But it remains as one of the biggest lessons of Europe’s past, and today we are going in detail about that fated day in 732. 

A triumphant Charles Martel (mounted) faces Abdul Rahman Al Ghafiqi (right) at the Battle of Tours. Source: Bender235 / Public Domain .

The Prelude to the Battle of Tours

Around the very beginning of the 8 th century, in the year 700 AD, the Muslim Umayyad Caliphate was rapidly spreading its empire around the world. It was the second of the four great caliphates that emerged after the death of Muhammad and was one of the largest empires of the world at the time.

After conquering the lands of North Africa, they saw mainland Europe as the next prey for their conquests. From the shores of North Africa, they had a clear passage - in the form of the Gibraltar Strait. This would allow their forces to cross over onto the Iberian Peninsula , from which they would spread further inland.

At the time, Iberia was under the control of the Visigothic Kingdom, a centralized state under the rule of King Roderic. Nonetheless, the Umayyads crossed the strait in the year 711 AD, under the leadership of one Tariq ibn Ziyad, and soon after clashed with the Visigothic army in the Battle of Guadalete, in the same year, in the very south of Iberia.

The "Age of the Caliphs", shows the Umayyad dominance stretched from the Middle East to the Iberian Peninsula, including the port of Narbonne, c. 720. (McZusatz / Public Domain )

At the time of the Umayyad invasion, King Roderic was far in the north, attempting to fight a Basque rebellion. This unfortunately placed him in a bad situation, as he was forced to a long march south, to face this much bigger enemy. In the end, the Visigoths were defeated in the face of the overwhelming Muslim cavalry.

In the battle, King Roderic and most of the nobles of his kingdom lost their lives, which allowed the Umayyads to effectively conquer Iberia, step by step. This they managed in just a little under seven years. And once Iberia was theirs, Frankish Gaul was just a step away.

The only thing that divided the Umayyads from their prey - the Frankish Kingdom - were the Pyrenees Mountains . This was a fitting natural barrier - but it was in no way untraversable. In time, the Umayyads began crossing over and making incursions into the very south of Gaul. By 720 they conquered the southern province of Septimania.

In the following year, they focused on the large city to the immediate west, Toulouse, which they besieged. This siege was brought to an end by the prominent Frankish Duke Odo - who managed to overwhelm the Umayyad forces outside Toulouse and defeat them. Nonetheless, large numbers of Umayyads kept crossing over the Pyrenees and laying waste to the southern provinces of Gaul.

The Duchy of Aquitaine laid in the south and faced the brunt of this invasion. Its largest towns, Bordeaux and Toulouse were ravaged, and in no time the invaders reached even the Duchy of Burgundy to its north.

But it wasn’t until 732 that the Umayyad Caliphate truly amassed its forces with proper conquering intentions and adequate strength. The man that was at the head of this force was Abdul Rahman al Ghafiqi, the then-Governor General of Muslim Iberia. He led his forces across the Pyrenees once again and plundered the land and all the cities he came across.

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Abdul Rahman al Ghafiqi led his troops over the Pyrenees Mountains toward the Battle of Tours. (Jean-Christophe BENOIST / CC BY-SA 3.0 )

The Umayyads greatly coveted riches, and their main activity during this conquest was plunder. After completely ransacking Bordeaux once again, the Umayyad forces faced Duke Odo once more. Odo led his army in an attempt to stop the invasion as he did a few years before.

But this time, he was terribly outnumbered and outmaneuvered, and his forces were crushed. Realizing the gravity of the situation, and that his own lands of Aquitaine were overrun, Odo fled to the north seeking assistance from the de-facto ruler of the Frankish Kingdom - Charles Martel.

Before the Umayyad invasion Odo and Charles were enemies. Charles sought to expand his lordship over Aquitaine and Odo saw the Franks as invaders. But with this new and much greater threat, Odo had no choice but to seek help from the Franks. Charles Martel agreed to join up with him, but the “price” was Odo’s acceptance of Frankish overlordship. Odo agreed.

The Hammer Enters the Fray

Charles Martel was a seasoned ruler and a battle hardened veteran. His troops were equally experienced having been in constant clashes along the eastern borders of their kingdom, fighting neighboring tribes.

Charles also understood how important the situation was and began gathering his levies from all over the north. And he would show his shrewdness as a battle commander, when he carefully understood the intentions of his enemy. 

Meanwhile, the Umayyad forces moved slowly across the Frankish lands, their forces spread into war parties that ravaged the countryside and amassed an enormous amount of plunder. This “greedy” focus on war booty would greatly influence their future undoing. They had to take their time, as they greatly depended on the crop season for their food source.

But their destination was clear to Charles Martel. It was the rich city of Tours - prominent and wealthy, filled with abbeys of great importance. Thus, Charles placed his Frankish forces directly on the path of the coming Umayyads. He situated his army roughly in between the city of Tours and the ravaged town of Poitiers further south.

The Franks were placed close to the confluence of rivers Clain and Vienne, on a slightly elevated and forested hill. Charles Martel deliberately and shrewdly chose this position. First of all - he was outnumbered and knew it.

Map of the Battle of Tours with the position of Charles Martel's army. (Evzen M / Public Domain )

Thus he chose the cover of the forest to displace his troops and hide his number in hope to not reveal his disadvantage. Secondly - he chose a place where the Umayyads would have to enter into battle, as the only crossing over the rivers was behind the Frankish forces. Thirdly - the forest protected his troops - mainly the second lines - from the full brunt of a cavalry charge, and somewhat protected his sides from flanking attacks.

When the Umayyads approached the assembled Christian army, their leader Abdul Rahman al Ghafiqi - also a seasoned commander - knew that Charles Martel took the upper hand, by choosing his preferred place of battle. Even so, al Ghafiqi trusted in his strength and deployed for battle.

One thing he must have noticed is the difference in the troops - Umayyads relied heavily on cavalry, while the Franks were mostly footmen. But he failed to take several things into account.

The Muslim cavalry was lightly armored - they preferred to adorn themselves with chainmail and not much else in terms of armor. Riches and trinkets were much more to their liking.

They also rode willful Arabic horses, which were difficult to break in, and thus not the truly perfect cavalry mounts. Some historians also mention that this cavalry was in large part armed with spears - which were unseasoned and would break on first impact.

The Muslim cavalry rode willful Arabic horses during the Battle of Tours. (Trzęsacz / Public Domain )

On the other hand, the Frankish infantry was thoroughly seasoned. Most of the army were veterans, with only a small part of fresh recruits reserved in the second lines. They were well armored for the time, and well-armed as well. They stood packed in tight lines and ready for a cavalry charge.

But the battle did not begin immediately. The opposing forces “tested the waters”, with sporadic small skirmishes going on for seven days.

This was in truth a deliberate stalling from al Ghafiqi, who waited for his whole army to assemble fully. In the end, with the Umayyads fearing the approaching winter, they commenced battle on the seventh day - on the 10th of October 732 AD.

The Umayyad Wave That Broke On the Frankish Rock

The Umayyad commander, al Ghafiqi, heavily relied on his cavalry, even though he didn’t possess much knowledge about the assembled enemy. He sent waves of cavalry charges in an attempt to break the Frankish lines - but this did not happen. The seasoned Franks were tightly packed - shoulder to shoulder - and withstood all assaults.

The rare combination of slight elevation, good arms and armor, and tree cover allowed them to hold their ground - when it was almost impossible for infantry to hold against cavalry in medieval times. Even when some small parts of the line faltered and broke under the cavalry, the fresh second lines were quick to react - sealing the gap.

Frankish knight fighting against an Umayyad horseman. (Helix84 / Public Domain )

As the battle went on in that way, Duke Odo commenced a crucial flanking operation that greatly tipped the scales in Frankish favor. He gathered a cavalry force and flanked wide - reaching the distant Muslim encampment - i.e. their rear. This was where the Umayyad tents were and all of their abundant plunder.

Odo managed to inflict great losses here, retrieve the precious plunder, free around 200 captive Franks, and draw the eye of the enemy. But what happened next was more than he hoped for. Upon realizing that their camp and their plunder were under attack, many Umayyad units from the central battlefield rushed back in a frenzy to save their loot.

This was an unprecedented situation, one that al Ghafiqi never expected. His attempts at rallying his troops were in vain, and Charles Martel - who knew exactly what he was doing - seized this opportunity.

As the Umayyad forces dissipated to retrieve the loot, he swung his forces from left, right, and center, and engaged in both pursuit and encirclement. The remaining body of the Umayyads was surrounded and suffered immense casualties.

The chief of these was al Ghafiqi himself - who fell in battle while attempting to rally his troops. Meanwhile, Duke Odo swung north again and cut off the fleeing Umayyads, inflicting great losses. In effect, the Umayyad forces fled.

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Charles Martel gathered his cavalry at Battle of Tours and attacked the Umayyad encampment. (Levan Ramishvili / Public Domain )

Now, Charles Martel expected a second day of battles and remained in his position, treating the wounded and re-organizing. But another day never came. The Umayyads, with their commander dead, could not successfully organize another attack or choose a fitting leader. They had suffered great losses as well.

Charles Martel feared an ambush and would not descend from the hill at any cost. Eventually, he sent out extensive reconnaissance parties to survey the Umayyad forces - but only to learn that there were none. They had gathered all the remaining plunder they could and fled during the night - extremely hastily. They had returned to Iberia.

Charles Martel won a crushing and glorious victory that cemented his reputation of a noble and capable leader. He was praised all across Europe as the savior of the Christendom and the “Hammer that Broke the Muslims”. Thus he earned his nickname - Martel - meaning Charles the Hammer.

He subsequently expanded his rule over Aquitaine and successfully isolated the invaders to the southern region of Septimania, where they remained for another 27 years and were completely unable to break through. Charles’ wealth, influence, power, and ability led to the emergence of the Carolingian dynasty , which would rise and last for centuries to follow.

Charles Martel's military campaigns in Aquitaine, Septimania, and Provence after the Battle of Tour-Poitiers (734–742). (Iñaki LLM / CC BY-SA 3.0 )

Changing the Future of the World

The Europe of the early 18 th century desperately needed a capable and strong commander that would stop the Muslim Umayyad invaders dead in their tracks. And that commander was Charles Martel. He stood up to ravaging flood of conquerors and using his superior tactics, shrewdness, and reputation, he managed to win a crushing battle - against all odds. Like a beacon that kept burning throughout a storm, his Frankish warriors defied their enemy in battle. And it is this battle that changed the course of European history, and with that - the history of the World.

Top image: Medieval soldier at war. Credit: Andrey Kiselev / Adobe Stock

By Aleksa Vučković

Creasy, E. 2016. The Fifteen Decisive Battles of the World . Enhanced Media.

Neiberg, M. 2003. Warfare in World History . Taylor & Francis.

Scott, J. 2011. Battle of Tours - A New Look at an Old Enemy . eBookIt.

I am a published author of over ten historical fiction novels, and I specialize in Slavic linguistics. Always pursuing my passions for writing, history and literature, I strive to deliver a thrilling and captivating read that touches upon history's most... Read More

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Muslim Invasions of Western Europe: The 732 Battle of Tours

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The Battle of Tours was fought during the Muslim invasions of Western Europe in the 8th century.

Armies & Commanders at the Battle of Tours

• Charles Martel
• 20,000-30,000 men
• Abdul Rahman Al Ghafiqi
• unknown, but perhaps as high as 80,000 men

Battle of Tours - Date

Martel's triumph at the Battle of Tours occurred on October 10, 732.

Background on the Battle of Tours 

In 711, the forces of the Umayyad Caliphate crossed into the Iberian Peninsula from Northern Africa and quickly began overrunning the region's Visigothic Christian kingdoms. Consolidating their position on the peninsula, they used the area as a platform for commencing raids over the Pyrenees into modern-day France. Initially meeting little resistance, they were able to gain a foothold and the forces of Al-Samh ibn Malik established their capital at Narbonne in 720. Commencing attacks against Aquitaine, they were checked at the Battle of Toulouse in 721. This saw Duke Odo defeat the Muslim invaders and kill Al-Samh. Retreating to Narbonne, Umayyad troops continued raiding west and north reached as far as Autun, Burgundy in 725.

In 732, Umayyad forces led by the governor of Al-Andalus, Abdul Rahman Al Ghafiqi, advanced in force into Aquitaine. Meeting Odo at the Battle of the River Garonne they won a decisive victory and commenced sacking the region. Fleeing north, Odo sought aid from the Franks. Coming before Charles Martel, the Frankish mayor of the palace, Odo was promised aid only if he promised to submit to the Franks. Agreeing, Martel began raising his army to meet the invaders. In the years previous, having assessed the situation in Iberia and the Umayyad attack on Aquitaine , Charles came to believe that a professional army, rather than raw conscripts, was needed to defend the realm from invasion. To raise the money necessary to build and train an army that could withstand the Muslim horsemen, Charles began seizing Church lands, earning the ire of the religious community.

Battle of Tours - Moving to Contact

Moving to intercept Abdul Rahman, Charles used secondary roads to avoid detection and allow him to select the battlefield. Marching with approximately 30,000 Frankish troops he assumed a position between the towns of Tours and Poitiers. For the battle, Charles selected a high, wooded plain which would force the Umayyad cavalry to charge uphill through unfavorable terrain. This included trees in front of the Frankish line which would aid in breaking up cavalry attacks. Forming a large square, his men surprised Abdul Rahman, who did not expect to encounter a large enemy army and forced the Umayyad emir to pause for a week to consider his options. This delay benefited Charles as it allowed him to summon more of his veteran infantry to Tours.

Battle of Tours - The Franks Stand Strong

As Charles reinforced, the increasingly cold weather began to prey on the Umayyads who were unprepared for the more northern climate. On the seventh day, after gathering all of his forces, Abdul Rahman attacked with his Berber and Arab cavalry. In one of the few instances where medieval infantry stood up to cavalry, Charles' troops defeated repeated Umayyad attacks. As the battle waged, the Umayyads finally broke through the Frankish lines and attempted to kill Charles. He was promptly surrounded by his personal guard who repulsed the attack. As this was occurring, scouts that Charles had sent out earlier were infiltrating the Umayyad camp and freeing prisoners and enslaved people.

Believing that the plunder of the campaign was being stolen, a large part of the Umayyad army broke off the battle and raced to protect their camp. This departure appeared as a retreat to their comrades who soon began to flee the field. While attempting to stop the apparent retreat, Abdul Rahman was surrounded and killed by Frankish troops. Briefly pursued by the Franks, the Umayyad withdrawal turned into a full retreat. Charles re-formed his troops expecting another attack the next day, but to his surprise, it never came as the Umayyads continued their retreat all the way to Iberia.

While exact casualties for the Battle of Tours are not known, some chronicles relate that Christian losses numbered around 1,500 while Abdul Rahman suffered approximately 10,000. Since Martel's victory, historians have argued over the battle's significance with some stating that his victory saved Western Christendom while others feel that its repercussions were minimal. Regardless, the Frankish victory at Tours, along with subsequent campaigns in 736 and 739, effectively stopped the advance of Muslim forces from Iberia allowing the further development of the Christian states in Western Europe.

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• Decisive Battles: Battle of Tours
• Battle of Tours: Primary Sources
• Biography of Charles Martel, Frankish Military Leader and Ruler
• What Was the Umayyad Caliphate?
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Battle of Tours 732 Charles Martel

What was the battle of tours.

The Battle of Tours was fought in 732 between a sizable Moorish invading force and a Frankish army under Charles Martel.

Martel was able to check the Moorish advance by routing the Muslim army at the Battle of Tours in 732.

The battle is considered highly significant in that it was crucial in stemming the tide of Muslim advance into north-eastern Europe after the Moors had successfully taken over southern Iberia.

Moors in various costumes

Modern historians believe that had Martel not defeated the Moorish army at Tours, Christianity may have lost a vital sphere of influence in Western Europe.

The outcome of the battle was the routing of the Muslim army and a resounding victory for Charles Martel, earning him the title of being the “Savior of Christianity”.

Prelude to the Battle of Tours

Muslim forces were defeated at the 721 Battle of Toulouse in their advance into northern Iberia. Duke Odo of Aquitaine secure this victory but by 732, another sizable Muslim army arrived to invade northern Iberia.

Odo attempted to stem the tide but was defeated and fled. He then turned to the Franks who were conventionally considered rivals of Aquitaine.

Charles Martel, the Frankish military general, agreed to come to Odo’s help if Odo agreed to bend the knee to Frankish authority. Between the threats of a complete Muslim invasion and the condition of submitting to the Franks, Odo chose the latter.

Charles Martel *Frankish Military General

Battle Tactics Battle of Tours

The key advantage that the invading Moorish army had over the Franks was its highly mobile cavalry.

Martel, on the other hand, had thousands of veteran troops. While the Frankish had no cavalry advantage over Muslims, Martel managed a crucial advantage by setting up his army at the ridge of a hill.

The Battle of Tours was also known as the Battle of Poitiers

The phalanx-like formation of his infantry, surrounded by trees on both sides, ensured that any charge from the Muslim cavalry would have little advantage against the Frankish infantry.

Being able to choose the terrain and the condition of the battle played the most central role in ensuring the subsequent Frankish victory in the battle.

Frankish Troops

Battle of Tours Battle

The Muslim army was led by Abd er Rehman. He had been able to victories in many previous battles using the might of Muslim heavy cavalry. At the Battle of Tours , the importance of Rehman’s cavalry was greatly diminished.

The Muslim army was positioned at the foot of the hill while the Frankish stood in a defensive formation atop the ridge of the hill. After waiting for six days, Ab der Rehman made the tactical mistake of making his troops charge uphill.

This negated the cavalry advantage the Muslims had. The Franks, on the other hand, stood in highly organized formations and withstood one cavalry charge after another from the Muslims.

Although the Muslim army was able to pierce through the Frankish formations, they couldn’t penetrate deep enough and sustained heavy losses at the hands of the Frankish infantry.

After the battle which had lasted nearly a day, rumors spread that the Franks had attacked the Muslim camp.

A sizable portion of the Muslim army immediately broke off to reach the camp. Muslim general, Ab der Rehman, was consequently killed while trying to restore order in his army.

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In This Article Expand or collapse the "in this article" section Battle of Tours (732?)

Introduction, general overviews.

• The Continuations of the Chronicle of Fredegar
• The Chronicle of 754
• Other Early Sources
• Muslims and Christians in the Eighth Century
• Frankish Politics
• Muslims in Early Medieval Francia
• Frankish Warfare
• Andalusi Warfare
• The Brunner Thesis
• The End of Muslim Expansion in Gaul
• The Memory of the Battle of Tours

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Battle of Tours (732?) by Sam Ottewill-Soulsby LAST MODIFIED: 20 February 2024 DOI: 10.1093/obo/9780199791279-0247

Despite being one of the most famous engagements of the medieval period, there are many uncertainties about the Battle of Tours, including its date, precise location, and significance. The traditional dating of the battle to October 732 has been questioned by scholars on the basis of Iberian sources, with many preferring to place it in late 733 or 734. Because the encounter took place between Tours and Poitiers, it is sometimes also named after the latter city. What is known is that the battle took place because the Muslim governor of al-Andalus, ʿAbd al-Rahman b. ʿAbd Allah al-Ghafiqi, invaded Aquitaine, motivated by an alliance between its Duke, Eudo, and the rebel Berber border lord ʿUthman b. Naissa. After being defeated, Eudo turned to the Frankish Mayor of the Palace, Charles Martel. The Frankish and Muslim armies met on the road to Tours, with the former being victorious. Al-Ghafiqi was killed, but his army retreated in good order. The significance of this clash has long been debated. The battle has been hailed as one of the most important in history for halting the expansion of the caliphate in western Europe and cementing the prestige and power of Charles Martel and his descendants, the Carolingians. More recent scholars have questioned this assessment, pointing to the continuation of Muslim raids into Frankish territory in subsequent years and the limited presence of the battle in Carolingian history writing. Beyond dispute is the modern importance of the Battle of Tours, inspiring numerous books, works of art, and political movements.

While the Battle of Tours has occasioned much interest, sober scholarly accounts are harder to come by. Collins 1994 addresses the subject from an Iberian perspective, drawing heavily on the Chronicle of 754 . Fouracre 2000 , a biography of Charles Martel, approaches the battle from a Frankish background.

Collins, Roger. The Arab Conquest of Spain 711–797 . Oxford: Blackwell, 1994.

Offers an extremely useful account of the battle within the context of al-Andalus. Argues strongly in favor of a date in 733 or 734 on the basis of the Chronicle of 754 .

Fouracre, Paul. The Age of Charles Martel . Harlow: Longman, 2000.

DOI: 10.4324/9781315845647

The best overview of the career of Charles Martel, good for situating the Battle of Tours within wider Frankish politics, with a greater emphasis on the Frankish sources.

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The Battle of Tours: A Turning Point in Early Medieval History

• Post author By Library Author
• Post date February 15, 2023

Table of Contents

History is just that: a story . It follows people, the characters, through their environment, the setting, and the things that happen to them, the plot. 

Like any story, it moves along thanks to specific events. And while they might not seem so significant at the moment, when we look back, we can use them to connect the dots to how we got where we are today.

One such event was the Battle of Tours. Fought between the invading, Muslim-run Umayyad Caliphate and the Christian Kingdom of the Franks, this battlefield duel drew a “line in the sand” in European history that is still alive and well in the 21st century. 

The Advancing Muslim Kingdoms

To understand the Battle of Tours, the first place to look is the Middle East in the three centuries before the fighting began. Something was happening in these lands east of the Mediterranean and in the foothills of Asia. 

In a word: Islam. 

Founded in the 7th century by the Arabian prophet Muhammad, the monotheistic religion that descended from Judaism and Christianity had taken the Middle East by storm. Not only had huge swaths of territory converted to this new faith, its leaders, starting with Muhammad himself, had created a new empire. 

As they spread their version of the word of God, they conquered new lands, spreading throughout Mesopotamia, western Asian lands such as Pakistan and India, as well as North Africa. 

By the end of the 8th century, they had one of the largest empires in history. But they weren’t interested in stopping in North Africa, so they didn’t. In 711 AD, they crossed the Mediterranean and crashed onto the shores of Spain. Their armies quickly advanced through Spain, defeating the Visigoths and establishing a new province of their empire: Al-Andalus. 

After so much success, why would they stop there? 

Well, they didn’t. They crossed over the Pyrenees Mountains and into what is now France and kept on fighting. 

Things were looking good for the Muslim caliphate. Until they weren’t.

The Christians Respond

The Battle of Tours is ultimately a story about the battle between Christianity and Islam. As Islam grew, it did so mainly in non-Christian lands. 

The tribes of Arabia that united under Muhammad had been polytheistic, meaning they believed in many gods. As Islam spread, though, it came into contact with more and more Christian territories. 

This worried the people of Europe. Not only did they devoutly believe their religion was the one true religion, but a threat to the Christian faith was a threat to the rulers of Europe who used faith as a source of their power.

So, when the Muslim-led armies crashed into Spain, a largely Christian territory, conquered it in the blink of an eye (historically speaking…it was more like a period of 50 years), there had to be a response.

The one to answer the call was a man named Charles Martel. He was the ruler of the Franks, a Germanic people who populated much of western Europe. 

A Christian, Martel commanded a considerable army and rose to power as Islam was spreading into Europe. His decisions and the results of these decisions left a lasting mark on European history.

The Battle of Tours

The Battle of Tours itself took place in 732 AD, just twenty years after the Umayyad Caliphate had crossed into Spain. In just that short time, Muslim armies had made their way into what is now central France. 

The lack of political unity at the time made it easy for the strong, unified army of the Caliphate to march across Europe. Kingdoms next to one another would often not come to the support of each other due to feuds both past and present. 

This was exactly what the Umayyad army was hoping for when they attacked Tours, a wealthy city on the Loire River in central France. Technically part of Aquitaine, which Charles Martel had invaded for his own purposes, no one thought Martel would fight for the defense of Tours. 

But Martel was a true man of mystery and did exactly what no one expected him to do.

The battle, which lasted more than a week, came as a surprise to the Umayyads army. Not only did they not really know that Martel and his army of Franks were waiting there, they had no idea how many people were in the army and how strong they really were. 

So, the Umayyad commander, Abdul Rahman Al-Ghafiqi , sent his cavalry, or horse-mounted units, into the city for what he thought would be a quick victory. 

Talk about wishful thinking. 

The mainly-Frankish army was as big if not bigger than the invading force, and they fought them back handedly. 

Martel’s force remained in the forest in the highlands, forcing Al-Gfaiqi’s army to try and charge uphill, something that never works, not even for Anakin Skywalker. 

Numbers of casualties are impossible to know for sure, but by the end of the seventh day, the Umayyad army had lost. 

Once beaten back, they turned and ran. Al-Gafiqi was killed in battle and the Muslim invasion of Europe was in big, big trouble. 

Frankish Conquest of Gaul and the Early Stages of the Holy Roman Empire

After failing to beat back Martel, the Umayyad force ran south in retreat. Martel followed them, chasing them further and further from his people. Eventually, the Umayyad army crossed the Pyrenees. 

“Finally!” he shouted. “Now down through Hispania and back to North Africa!”

Wrong. 

Instead of making the same mistake his enemies had made by chasing them through foreign territory, Martel decided to call it a day once he felt safe. 

He drew a line in the map, right through the Pyrnees and said “I’m done.”

This move had two major impacts.

First, it allowed him to maintain the gains he just made against the advancing Umayyad army. 

Second, it allowed him to consolidate power in France. He just chased away the “evil” Muslims advancing with their army, outdoing his rival kings in the area, proving his strength to the people. 

By stopping his pursuit, he made himself the most powerful man in western Europe. 

The Rise of the Catholic Church

This victory, and the moves Martel made after it, put an end to the advance of Islam into Europe. The Umayyads would try again a few years later, but Martel’s position was too strong to defeat. 

Internal strife in the Umayyad Caliphate also caused interest in a European invasion to stop. Eventually, Al-Andalus split off from its leaders in Damascus and became its own independent Caliphate. 

The fact that this line that Martel “drew” also separated two very popular religions is why the Battle of Tours is so significant. From this moment on, the lands east of the Pyrenees were to be Christian. South of the Pyrenees were primarily Muslim.

Recognizing this divide, Martel did one more thing to cement his power. He went to the Pope, the leader of the Christian faith and one of the only authorities everyone would listen to and asked for his blessing to rule the land he had just conquered, or, as he might have put it, liberated from Muslim rule. 

The Pope went along with this and the Frankish empire was born.

A New Era in Medieval History

The acknowledgement by the Church in Rome gave Europe its largest central authority since the fall of the Roman Empire. Many at the time still longed for the “glory days” or Rome, and were waiting for someone to take its place. For someone to fill that power vacuum. 

The Frankish kingdom turned empire established by Martel helped fill this vacuum, at least for the time. Martel’s successors combined forces with the church to revive the title “Roman emperor” in an effort to unite Europe and Christianity. 

In addition to proving the foundation for the Frankish empire, the Battle of Tours set the stage for the epic religious battle that was about to take place throughout the 11th and 12th centuries.

Stricken with fear over the threat of a Muslim invasion into Christian lands, the Pope and the kings of Europe would go on to organize the Crusades. 

These wars sought to “take back” lands seen as rightfully Christian, which included the Holy Land of Jerusalem and the recently conquered Spain. 

The Battle of Tours helped define the boundaries between the Christian and Muslim worlds and set the stage for conflicts that defined much of Medieval history.

Written by Matthew Jones

Illustrated by Jean Galvao

Reconquista

Battle of Tours

The Battle of Tours, also called the Battle of Poitiers and, was fought on 10 October 732, resulted in the victory for the Frankish and Aquitanian forces, led by Charles Martel, over the invading forces of the Umayyad Caliphate, led by Abdul Rahman Al-Ghafiqi, governor of al-Andalus. Details of the battle, including the number of combatants and its exact location, are unclear from the surviving sources. Most sources agree that the Umayyads had a larger force and suffered heavier casualties. Notably, the Frankish troops apparently fought without heavy cavalry. Al-Ghafiqi was killed in combat, and the Umayyad army withdrew after the battle. The battle helped lay the foundations of the Carolingian Empire and Frankish domination of western Europe for the next century.

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The Battle of Tours: Charles Martel Halts Muslim Expansion in France

The exoticism of the Saracen army is stressed in this detail from The Saracen Army outside Paris, by Julius Schnorr von Carolsfeld, painted 1822–27, which actually depicts a fictional incident from Ludovico Ariosto (Cassino Massimo, Rome).

The Battle of Tours in 732 AD marks a pivotal moment in European history, where Charles Martel’s Frankish army successfully halted the expansion of Muslim forces into France. This decisive battle not only secured Frankish dominance in Western Europe but also prevented further Muslim conquests into the heart of the continent. Understanding the context, events, and significance of this confrontation provides valuable insights into medieval Europe’s socio-political dynamics and the clash of civilizations.

The Rise of Islam and Muslim Expansion

The rise of Islam in the 7th century marks one of the most profound transformations in world history, reshaping the religious, cultural, and political landscapes of a vast swath of the globe. Beginning with the teachings and leadership of Prophet Muhammad in the Arabian Peninsula, Islam rapidly spread through the efforts of his followers and successors, fundamentally altering the course of history.

After the death of Prophet Muhammad in 632 CE, the Islamic community, or Ummah, continued to expand under the guidance of the Rashidun Caliphs—Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman, and Ali. These leaders, close companions of Muhammad, pursued a series of military campaigns that extended the influence of Islam well beyond the Arabian Peninsula. Their conquests included major territories in the Byzantine and Persian empires, showcasing not only military prowess but also a compelling new religious message that attracted diverse peoples.

The Umayyad Caliphate, which succeeded the Rashidun Caliphate in 661 CE, further accelerated the expansion of Islam. Under the Umayyads, the Islamic empire grew to encompass vast regions, stretching from the Iberian Peninsula in the west to the Indus River in the east. This remarkable expansion was driven by a combination of military conquests, strategic diplomacy, and the appealing nature of Islamic principles.

By the early 8th century, the Umayyad forces, under the command of Abdul Rahman Al Ghafiqi, had established a strong foothold in the Iberian Peninsula (modern-day Spain and Portugal). The ambition of the Umayyad Caliphate then turned towards the Frankish Kingdom, a realm that presented a gateway to deeper penetration into Europe. The decisive encounter between the Muslim forces and the Frankish kingdom came in 732 CE, at the Battle of Tours (also known as the Battle of Poitiers), where the Frankish forces led by Charles Martel confronted the advancing Umayyad army.

The confrontation at Tours was pivotal, not only as a military engagement but also as a moment of significant cultural and historical consequence. Charles Martel’s victory over Abdul Rahman Al Ghafiqi’s forces is often cited as a turning point that checked the northward expansion of Islam into Europe, establishing a boundary between the Islamic world and Christian Europe that would persist for centuries.

The rapid expansion of Islam during this period was not merely a series of military campaigns but also a profound cultural and religious movement. The territories under Islamic rule witnessed a remarkable period of intellectual, scientific, and cultural flourishing. Islamic scholars preserved and expanded upon the knowledge of the ancient world, making significant contributions in fields such as mathematics, astronomy, medicine, and philosophy. The exchange of ideas and cultures facilitated by the Islamic empire’s expansion had a lasting impact on the development of world civilization.

The Frankish Kingdom and Charles Martel

In the tapestry of medieval European history, the Frankish Kingdom stands out as a beacon of strength and resilience during a period marked by turmoil and the fragmentation of power. By the 8th century, this realm had emerged as a formidable power in what is now modern-day France, wielding significant influence over the surrounding territories. At the heart of the Frankish Kingdom’s ascendancy was Charles Martel, a figure whose leadership and military genius left an indelible mark on the course of Western history.

Charles Martel, born into the Carolingian line, was not initially destined to wield the power he eventually came to hold. However, through a combination of ambition, political savvy, and military skill, he rose to prominence, becoming the Mayor of the Palace—a position that, under his stewardship, became the de facto power behind the throne of the Merovingian kings, who had become largely figurehead rulers by this time.

Charles Martel in the Battle of Tours

Martel’s reign was characterized by a series of military campaigns that not only expanded the boundaries of the Frankish Kingdom but also secured its borders against a variety of threats. He is perhaps best remembered for his role in the Battle of Tours (732 CE), where his leadership and strategic foresight were pivotal in halting the northward expansion of the Umayyad Caliphate into Europe. This victory is often cited as a turning point in European history, one that preserved Christianity as the dominant religion in Europe and prevented the Islamic conquest of the continent.

Beyond his military achievements, Charles Martel was a shrewd statesman who worked tirelessly to consolidate his power and ensure the stability of his realm. He reorganized the Frankish armies, introducing innovations such as the heavy cavalry, which would become a cornerstone of medieval warfare in Europe. Martel’s reforms extended to the administration of the kingdom, where he took steps to centralize authority and ensure the loyalty of the nobility through the strategic distribution of land and titles.

Martel’s efforts to fortify the Frankish Kingdom laid the groundwork for the Carolingian Empire, which would come to dominate Western Europe under the rule of his grandson, Charlemagne. Thus, Charles Martel’s legacy is not only that of a military leader who defended Europe against external invasion but also as a foundational figure in the formation of medieval European Christendom. His policies and reforms helped to shape the political and social structures of Europe, influencing the development of feudalism and laying the groundwork for the rise of the modern state.

The Prelude to Battle

In the year 732 AD, a critical moment unfolded that would significantly influence the historical trajectory of Europe and the Islamic world. The Umayyad Caliphate, at the zenith of its power and expansion, pushed its frontiers into the heart of Europe. Under the command of Abdul Rahman Al Ghafiqi, a seasoned and formidable general, the Muslim forces crossed the Pyrenees, venturing into Aquitaine, a region rich in resources and strategic importance, located in what is now southwestern France.

The Umayyad army, buoyed by a series of successful campaigns across the Iberian Peninsula and beyond, embarked on a sweeping campaign across Aquitaine. Their approach was both methodical and devastating—cities were besieged, and the countryside was laid to waste as they advanced. The objective was clear: to extend the dominion of the Umayyad Caliphate, securing valuable territories and further spreading the influence of Islam.

As news of the Umayyad advance spread, it sowed seeds of panic and desperation among the Christian realms of Europe. The gravity of the threat became palpable, compelling local leaders to seek aid against an adversary whose reputation for military prowess preceded them. It was during this tumultuous period that a call for assistance reached Charles Martel, a leader whose military acumen and authority were recognized across the Frankish Kingdom.

Recognizing the existential threat posed by the Umayyad invasion, Charles Martel acted with characteristic decisiveness and urgency. He swiftly mustered a force comprising Frankish warriors and allies, leveraging his considerable influence and the formidable military infrastructure he had established. Martel’s response was not merely a defensive maneuver but a strategic counter to the advancing Umayyad forces. Understanding the stakes, he prepared his forces for a confrontation that would determine the fate of Christian Europe.

The prelude to the Battle of Tours (or Poitiers) was marked by strategic positioning and maneuvering. Charles Martel’s forces marched southward, moving with purpose toward the invading army. Martel’s leadership and the disciplined might of his assembled warriors set the stage for a clash of civilizations. The impending battle was more than a military engagement; it symbolized the confrontation between two worlds, two faiths, and two vastly different visions for the future of Europe.

Thus, as the Frankish forces approached the site of the imminent battle, the stage was set for a confrontation that would echo through the ages. The events that unfolded near Tours in 732 AD would not only decide the outcome of this particular invasion but also shape the cultural, religious, and geopolitical contours of the medieval world.

The Battle of Tours

The Battle of Tours, also known as the Battle of Poitiers, remains one of the most pivotal clashes in the annals of European history. While the precise location of the battle is subject to historical debate, consensus leans towards a site near the city of Tours, in the heartland of Frankish territories. This confrontation saw the well-disciplined and heavily armored Frankish forces under Charles Martel square off against the formidable Muslim cavalry, led by Abdul Rahman Al Ghafiqi, whose prowess in swift maneuverability and archery had been demonstrated in numerous victories across the Iberian Peninsula and beyond.

Despite the numerical disadvantage faced by the Frankish army, Charles Martel’s strategic acumen was evident in the deployment of his troops. He meticulously organized his soldiers into a phalanx-like formation, creating a formidable shield wall that served as both a defensive bulwark and a platform for counter-attacks. This formation was crucial, leveraging the Frankish forces’ heavy armor and close-combat capabilities to offset the mobility and ranged tactics of their adversaries.

The Muslim cavalry, renowned for their hit-and-run tactics and effective use of the bow from horseback, encountered a resilient and unyielding opponent. The Frankish shield wall, a testament to Martel’s understanding of his enemy’s strengths and weaknesses, proved to be an effective countermeasure. It absorbed the impact of the cavalry charges and the barrages of arrows, preserving the cohesion and fighting spirit of the Frankish forces.

Charles Martel at the Battle of Tours, depicted in the Grandes Chroniques de France

As the battle raged, the dynamics of the engagement highlighted the contrasting military doctrines and equipment of the two armies. The Frankish reliance on heavy infantry, supported by their own cavalry elements, contrasted sharply with the Umayyad strategy that favored the mobility and versatility of their horsemen. This clash of tactics and arms underscored the broader cultural and technological divergences between the Islamic and Christian worlds at this juncture in history.

Charles Martel’s leadership and tactical decisions during the battle played a decisive role in the outcome. His ability to maintain the discipline and morale of his troops, even when faced with the prospect of being outnumbered and outmaneuvered, was instrumental in the Frankish victory. The steadfastness of the Frankish forces, anchored by their shield wall, eventually turned the tide of the battle. The death of Abdul Rahman Al Ghafiqi during the conflict dealt a critical blow to the Muslim forces, sapping their momentum and leading to their eventual withdrawal.

The Battle of Tours did not just halt the northward expansion of the Umayyad Caliphate into Europe; it also cemented Charles Martel’s reputation as a military leader of the highest caliber. The victory ensured the survival of the Frankish realm and preserved Christian dominance in Western Europe, shaping the religious and cultural landscape of the continent for centuries to come. The battle’s legacy endures, symbolizing the clash between two worlds and serving as a testament to the strategic and tactical ingenuity of Charles Martel.

The Turning Point

The pivotal moment of the battle arrived amidst the chaos of the clash between the Frankish and Umayyad forces. The disciplined defense of the Frankish infantry, bolstered by their stalwart resolve and strategic positioning, proved to be an insurmountable obstacle for the charging Muslim warriors. Charles Martel, the seasoned commander of the Frankish forces, orchestrated devastating counterattacks with his cavalry, exploiting gaps in the Umayyad lines and inflicting heavy casualties upon their ranks.

However, it was not solely the prowess of the Frankish fighters that turned the tide of battle, but a stroke of fortune and cunning. Amidst the din of combat and the dust of the battlefield, rumors began to circulate among the Umayyad ranks, whispers of untold riches awaiting them at the Frankish plundering camp. Greed and the allure of plunder seized the hearts of a significant portion of the Muslim army, sowing discord and disarray within their ranks.

As the rumors spread like wildfire, a portion of the Umayyad forces broke ranks, abandoning the battlefield in a reckless pursuit of wealth and spoils. The once-united front of the Muslim army fragmented, leaving gaps in their lines and exposing their flanks to devastating Frankish assaults. Confusion and chaos reigned as the retreating soldiers clashed with their comrades who remained steadfast in the face of adversity.

This moment of opportunism and division proved to be the turning point of the battle. With the Umayyad forces in disarray and their morale shattered, the Frankish infantry and cavalry capitalized on the opportunity, pressing their advantage with renewed vigor and determination. Their coordinated attacks grew ever more ferocious, driving the wavering Muslim ranks further into disarray and despair.

Ultimately, it was this decisive moment, fueled by greed, confusion, and the unwavering resolve of the Frankish defenders, that secured victory for Charles Martel and his forces. The Battle of Tours would go down in history as a watershed moment, not only halting the advance of the Umayyad Caliphate into Western Europe but also shaping the course of medieval history and the trajectory of civilizations for centuries to come.

The Aftermath and Legacy

The aftermath of the Battle of Tours reverberated throughout Europe, leaving a profound impact on the political, religious, and cultural landscape of the continent. Charles Martel’s decisive victory over the Umayyad forces under Abdul Rahman Al Ghafiqi not only saved the Frankish Kingdom from Muslim conquest but also altered the course of European history in significant ways.

First and foremost, the Battle of Tours marked a crucial turning point in the expansion of Islam into Europe. The defeat of the Umayyad Caliphate’s advance into Frankish territory halted the momentum of Muslim conquests beyond the Iberian Peninsula. The Franks’ triumph bolstered Christian resistance to further Islamic encroachment, preserving the Christian identity and dominance of Western Europe.

The preservation of Christianity’s dominance in the region had far-reaching consequences for European civilization. It allowed for the consolidation and expansion of Christian political power, laying the groundwork for the emergence of the Holy Roman Empire and other Christian kingdoms that would shape the medieval and early modern periods. The Battle of Tours thus played a pivotal role in shaping the religious and political boundaries of Europe for centuries to come.

Moreover, Charles Martel’s leadership during the battle solidified his reputation as a formidable military strategist and a defender of Christendom. His title, “the Hammer of the Franks,” became synonymous with courage, resilience, and tactical acumen. Martel’s legacy endured long after his death, inspiring future generations of European leaders and shaping the development of feudal society and medieval warfare.

The Battle of Tours also symbolized the clash of civilizations between Christianity and Islam, a theme that would echo throughout European history. It fueled the perception of Islam as a perennial threat to Christian Europe, contributing to the development of the Crusades and shaping European attitudes towards the Islamic world in subsequent centuries.

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Battle of Tours that Shaped Europe’s Destiny

The Battle of Tours , fought in 732 AD near Poitiers, France, was a pivotal moment in European history. It secured the victory of the Frankish leader, Charles Martel , against the invading Muslim forces of the Umayyad Caliphate and halted their advance into Western Europe . The battle had far-reaching consequences on the continent’s political, religious, and cultural landscape, making it one of the most significant events of the medieval period.

In this article, we’ll explore the background and context of the Battle of Tours , the key players involved, and the battle’s military strategies and tactics . We’ll also examine its long-term impact on European history and its legacy in modern times.

Key Takeaways:

• The Battle of Tours was a decisive turning point in European history.
• Charles Martel’s victory stopped the advance of Muslim forces into Western Europe .
• One important result of the Battle of Tours was that it preserved Western Europe and halted Islamic expansion.

Background of the Battle of Tours

The Battle of Tours was fought between the Frankish army, led by Charles Martel , and the Muslim Moors, led by Abdul Rahman Al Ghafiqi. The battle took place on October 10, 732 AD, near the city of Tours in central France. The conflict marked a significant turning point in European history, halting the Islamic expansion into Western Europe and shaping the course of the continent for centuries to come.

The conflict between the Franks and the Moors began around 711 AD, when the Umayyad Caliphate, based in Damascus, conquered much of the Iberian Peninsula, including modern-day Spain and Portugal. By the early 8th century, the Muslims had established a strong presence in the region and were expanding their territory northward into Gaul (now France).

Charles Martel , the Frankish leader and mayor of the palace, was determined to defend his kingdom against the advancing Muslim armies. He had already defeated the Muslim forces at the Battle of Poitiers in 732 AD, and was now preparing for a second encounter at Tours.

Clash of Civilizations: Christianity vs. Islam

The Battle of Tours was not just a military confrontation; it was a clash of two distinct civilizations – Christianity and Islam . The Islamic conquests had already taken over most of the Middle East, including the Holy Land, and were expanding into North Africa and Europe. The Islamic forces viewed their conquests as a religious duty, spreading the word of Allah through military conquest. On the other hand, the Franks, led by Charles Martel, sought to defend their Christian faith and preserve their culture and way of life.

The Islamic army was led by Abdul Rahman Al Ghafiqi, the governor of Al-Andalus (modern-day Spain), and consisted primarily of Berber and Arab warriors. They were well-equipped and highly disciplined, with a formidable cavalry and infantry. The Frankish army, led by Charles Martel, was made up of a diverse group of warriors, including Franks, Gauls, and Burgundians, who fought on foot and horseback.

The Battle of Tours was not only a military conflict, but it was also a clash of civilizations . Religion played a vital role in shaping the conflict, as both sides were fighting to either spread or defend their religious beliefs.

The Importance of Charles Martel

At the Battle of Tours, Charles Martel, the Frankish leader, played a crucial role in securing a decisive victory against the invading Islamic forces. His leadership and strategic decisions helped shape the outcome of the battle and ultimately preserved Western Europe from further Islamic expansion.

Charles Martel’s military expertise and quick thinking proved to be essential in the battle. He ordered his forces to form a defensive wall, consisting of heavily armed infantrymen, which successfully repelled the repeated attacks of the Muslim cavalry. This defensive tactic prevented the Islamic forces from flanking the Frankish army and gave Charles Martel’s troops time to regroup and reorganize.

In addition to his tactical prowess, Charles Martel was also instrumental in building the Frankish army into a formidable fighting force. He introduced new weapons and armor, improved training methods, and established a system of centralized command and control. All of these measures helped create a highly disciplined and effective army, capable of taking on any opponent.

Charles Martel’s importance to the Battle of Tours cannot be overstated. Without his leadership and strategic decisions, the outcome of the battle may have been very different. His legacy as a great military leader and defender of Western Europe continues to be remembered and celebrated to this day.

Battle Strategies and Tactics

The Battle of Tours was a clash between two vastly different armies, with different strategies and tactics . The Muslim army was composed of light cavalry and relied heavily on the use of archers, while the Frankish army consisted primarily of heavy infantry.

The Muslim army’s primary tactic was the hit-and-run attack, where they would charge their enemy, unleash a flurry of arrows, and then retreat before the Franks could respond. They sought to wear down their enemy through attrition rather than engage them in a direct confrontation.

On the other hand, Charles Martel’s strategy was to remain defensive and let the Muslim army come to him. He ordered his troops to form a wall of shields, creating a barrier that the Muslim cavalry could not penetrate. This tactic proved successful, as the Muslim army began to tire and lose steam after several unsuccessful charges.

Once the Muslim army was weakened, Charles Martel ordered his troops to launch a counter-attack, using their superior strength and weapons to crush the enemy. The Frankish army’s use of heavy cavalry was also instrumental in the victory, as it allowed them to break through the Muslim ranks and disrupt their formations.

Overall, it was Charles Martel’s defensive strategy and tactical decisions that ultimately led to his victory. He recognized the strengths and weaknesses of his enemy and adapted his army’s tactics accordingly, ultimately preserving Western Europe from Muslim conquest.

Result: Preservation of Western Europe

The Battle of Tours was a significant event in European history that halted the advance of Islamic forces and preserved the future of Western Europe. Charles Martel’s victory was a turning point that shaped the destiny of Europe, paving the way for the rise of feudalism and the formation of modern nation-states.

By defeating the Islamic forces at the Battle of Tours, Charles Martel established himself as a powerful leader and prevented further expansion of the Umayyad Caliphate into Western Europe. This victory ensured the preservation of Christianity and Western culture, which played a critical role in shaping the future of Europe.

Without Charles Martel’s strategic decisions and the bravery of his army, the history of Europe would have been vastly different. The Battle of Tours was a critical moment in European history, ensuring the preservation of Western values and ultimately, the formation of modern Europe as we know it today.

Long-Term Implications

The Battle of Tours, fought in 732 CE, was a significant turning point in European history with profound long-term implications . The victory of Charles Martel’s forces halted the advance of Islamic expansion into Western Europe and ensured the preservation of European culture and identity.

The battle also played a crucial role in the rise of feudalism, a system of governance that dominated Europe for centuries. The conflict created a need for local leaders to protect their communities, leading to the emergence of localized power structures that eventually evolved into the feudal system.

Furthermore, the Battle of Tours contributed to the formation of modern nation-states. The victory served as a symbol of European unity and a shared identity, leading to the development of nations that reflected this collective identity. It helped shape the political and social structure of Europe, influencing its future development.

The legacy of the Battle of Tours continues to be felt today. It has become a defining moment in the history of Europe and has played a key role in shaping its identity. The importance of this battle and its impact on European history cannot be overstated.

Legacy and Historical Significance

More than a millennium after the Battle of Tours, its legacy remains ingrained in European history. The significance of this battle cannot be overstated, as it marked the first significant blow against the Muslim conquest of Europe and prevented the continent from being engulfed by Islamic forces.

The Battle of Tours also proved to be a pivotal moment in the rise of Western Europe. Charles Martel’s victory contributed to the formation of modern nation-states and the development of feudalism, which dominated the European political landscape for centuries to come.

The triumph of Charles Martel’s forces also had a profound impact on European identity. The Battle of Tours allowed Europeans to define themselves against an “other,” and the victory became a symbolic moment of Christian triumph over Islamic forces. This idea of a clash of civilizations would continue to shape European identity for centuries to come.

Today, the Battle of Tours is remembered as a crucial turning point in European history. Its significance is celebrated in French cultural memory as the moment when the country was saved from Islamic conquest. The battle remains a potent symbol of Western resistance against outside forces and the triumph of Christian civilization against its enemies.

In conclusion , the Battle of Tours marked a turning point in European history as it halted the advance of Islamic forces and preserved Western Europe. Charles Martel’s strategic leadership and military prowess played a significant role in the outcome of this battle. The clash between Christianity and Islam that took place during this event had long-lasting implications, including the rise of feudalism and the formation of modern nation-states.

Without the decisive victory of Charles Martel’s forces at the Battle of Tours, the course of European history could have been dramatically different. This battle ensured that the values and traditions of Western Europe were upheld and allowed for the development of the unique European identity that exists today.

In conclusion , the Battle of Tours was a crucial turning point that shaped Europe’s destiny . Its significance cannot be overstated, and it is a testament to the power of strategic leadership and military prowess in shaping history. The result of this battle is felt even today, and it serves as a reminder of the importance of preserving our cultural heritage and traditions.

Q: What was the significance of the Battle of Tours?

A: The Battle of Tours was a turning point in European history as it halted the advance of Islamic forces into Western Europe and preserved Christianity as the dominant religion.

Q: What led to the Battle of Tours?

A: The Battle of Tours was the result of the expansionist ambitions of the Islamic Umayyad Caliphate and the desire of Charles Martel, the Frankish leader, to protect his kingdom.

Q: Who were the key players in the Battle of Tours?

A: The Battle of Tours was fought between the armies of Charles Martel and the Umayyad Caliphate, led by Abd al-Rahman. Charles Martel’s tactical brilliance played a crucial role in the outcome of the battle.

Q: What were the military strategies and tactics used in the Battle of Tours?

A: Both sides employed various strategies and tactics during the Battle of Tours, including the use of cavalry charges, shield walls, and defensive formations. Charles Martel’s decision to hold his ground and utilize his infantry effectively contributed to his victory.

Q: How did the Battle of Tours impact Europe?

A: The Battle of Tours preserved Western Europe and halted the Islamic advance, preventing the region from falling under Islamic rule. This victory had significant implications for the rise of feudalism and the formation of modern nation-states.

Q: What is the long-term significance of the Battle of Tours?

A: The Battle of Tours influenced European history in the long term by shaping the course of feudalism and contributing to the development of modern nation-states. It also played a role in defining European identity and the ongoing conflict between Christian and Islamic civilizations.

Q: How is the Battle of Tours remembered in history?

A: The Battle of Tours is remembered as a decisive victory for Charles Martel and a pivotal moment in European history. It serves as a symbol of the clash between Christianity and Islam and the defense of Western civilization.

Q: What is the conclusion about the Battle of Tours?

A: The Battle of Tours was a critical event that shaped the destiny of Europe. Charles Martel’s victory preserved Western Europe from Islamic conquest, influencing the rise of feudalism and the development of modern nation-states. It remains an important turning point in European history.

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Kinnuverse » History » 10 Battles That Changed the World » Why was the Battle of Tours important? (732 CE)

Why was the Battle of Tours important? (732 CE)

The future of Europe hung in the balance, with Islam and Christianity coming to blows at Tours.

Life after Rome

For hundreds of years, the Roman Empire was the most powerful force in Europe, but this completely changed in 476 CE, when rival groups from northern Europe attacked the empire and seized chunks of territory for themselves. One of these groups was the Franks, who built the kingdom of Francia in western Europe, a region now known as France.

The Franks were ruled by a line of kings called the Merovingians. Little is known about them, apart from the unusual custom of allowing their hair to grow long and thick – if a Merovingian’s hair was cut off, he would no longer be allowed to rule. In 496 CE, the Merovingians converted to Christianity, and by the 8th century, the rest of Francia had followed suit.

At the same time, a Muslim nation was rising on the Arabian Peninsula. In their first few decades of power, the Umayyad Caliphate built an empire which stretched all the way from Persia to northern Africa. By 710 CE, only the Strait of Gibraltar, a sliver of sea between Morocco and Spain, separated the Umayyad Caliphate from the shores of mainland Europe.

Muslim conquest of Spain

After securing their territory in northern Africa, the Umayyads set their sights upon Spain. At that time, the region was home to the Visigoths. Just like the Franks, in the neighboring Francia, the Visigoths had originated in northern Europe, and were followers of Christianity.

In 710 CE, the Visigoth king was usurped by a rival, and the country was gripped by civil war. In a desperate effort to win the conflict, one of the warring factions turned to the Umayyad Caliphate for help. The Umayyads sensed an opportunity – this open invitation to send an army to Spain was far too good to refuse.

They sent their forces across the Strait of Gibraltar, and helped to bring the war to an end. Then they surged through the rest of the Iberian Peninsula, claiming and converting swathes of land as they went. By 714 CE, almost the entire peninsula was in Muslim hands. The Visigoths had made a grave mistake by inviting such a powerful empire into their home.

The Battle of Bordeaux

After successfully expanding into the Iberian Peninsula, the Umayyads wanted to seize control of the neighboring kingdom of Francia. In 732 CE, they launched an attack on Aquitaine, a region in the south of the country. The leader of Aquitaine was Odo the Great, who some historians believe was ethnically Roman, a remnant of the former empire.

At the time of the Umayyad invasion, Odo was 80 years old, but he was still a fierce military leader. When the Umayyads attacked at the Battle of Bordeaux, his army put up a spirited defense. But it wasn’t enough, and the battle ended with a resounding Muslim victory. The Chronicle of 754, an anonymous source written decades later, declared that “God only knows the number of those who died or fled.”

Odo was one of the few who managed to escape. He reorganized the scattered remains of his forces, then hurried north to ask the king for help.

Fighting at Tours

In 732 CE, the Frankish king was Charles Martel. Martel translates as ‘hammer’, a nickname based upon his devastating military prowess. When Odo the Great arrived on his doorstep, and told him what had happened at the Battle of Bordeaux, Charles didn’t hesitate. He sent his army to defend the city of Tours from the next wave of Umayyad attacks.

The exact events at the Battle of Tours are shrouded in mystery. Primary sources are non-existent, and no archaeological site has ever been found. The closest thing to a reliable source is the Chronicle of 754, which describes how the battle lasted for “seven days” before concluding with a sudden Frankish victory as they “annihilated the Arabs with the sword.” However, this report was written 22 years after the battle, and there is nothing to indicate that the anonymous writer was present at the actual event.

Whatever really happened there, the Franks emerged victorious, and sent the Umayyads retreating back into Spain. This marked a decisive turning point in the Umayyad efforts to spread into Christian Europe.

Christianity and Charlemagne

After defending themselves against the advance of the Umayyads, the kingdom of Francia went from strength to strength as a rising Christian nation. Charlemagne, or Charles the Great, was the grandson of Charles Martel. For three decades, he waged a bloody war against the rest of Europe, seeking to turn the continent into a single, Christian empire.

Charlemagne’s devotion to the Christian cause caught the attention of Pope Leo III. In 800 CE, he met with Charlemagne, and crowned him Holy Roman Emperor – the first person ever to hold such a title. With the Pope’s blessing, Charlemagne now had a divine authority to rule over the lands he had conquered over the preceding years.

As Holy Roman Emperor, Charlemagne ushered in a period of European stability, while promoting improvements in education, scholarship, and culture. He is sometimes referred to as the ‘Father of Europe’, and without his influence, the modern continent wouldn’t have looked the same.

What if the Umayyads had won?

If the Muslims had defeated Charles Martel at the Battle of Tours, they would have seized control of Francia. There is every chance they would have united Europe under the flag of Islam, instead of the Holy Roman Empire which developed on the continent instead.

Arabic could have become the continent’s dominant language. Towns and villages would have been dotted with mosques instead of churches. Important events, such as Christopher Columbus’ voyage to America, might never have taken place. His journey was funded by Catholic monarchs, and there is no way to know whether a Muslim ruler would have shown the same support.

Some people have questioned whether European culture would have suffered without the support of Charlemagne. In truth, the Umayyads might have changed European culture for the better. Around this time, the Islamic world enjoyed a golden age of its own, which outshone the changes taking place in Christian Europe. If the Umayyads had won at the Battle of Tours, this Islamic golden age may have blossomed in Europe too.

Debates over importance

For hundreds of years, the historical significance of the Battle of Tours was taken for granted by scholars in Christian Europe. Hans Delbrück, a 19th century German historian, declared that “there was no more important battle in the history of the world.”

But Muslim historians have generally taken a different position, downplaying the battle and pointing instead to other significant events. For example, in 718 CE, the Umayyads also tried to enter Europe through Constantinople, and were defeated more dramatically than they were in Francia. Meanwhile, in the 740s, native armies overthrew the Umayyads in parts of Africa, significantly weakening the empire. These events, according to Muslim historians, were far more important than the Battle of Tours in deciding the fate of Christian Europe.

Perhaps the Christian emphasis on the significance of Tours was the result of Frankish propaganda. Charles Martel would have been desperate to present himself as the savior of Christianity, and with no eyewitness accounts to disagree with him, propaganda like this would have been easy enough to spread.

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