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Oct 1, 732
Battle of Tours
October, 732 Charles Martel earned the nickname "The Hammer" for his brilliant strategery against the Muslim soldiers in this battle, emerging victorious with far less numbers and the absence of cavalry. This battle served as a turning point for the Christian religion, overcoming the booming Islamic conversion. -
Period: Oct 1, 732 to
Carolingian Empire
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Oct 22, 741
Death of Charles "The Hammer" Martel
The death of Charles "The Hammer" Martel, known for defending the Christian religion against the Muslims at the Battle of Tours, dies on Oct. 22, 741. His death leaves his son Pepin the Short to become King of the Franks and become the first of the Carolingian Dynasty, laying down the foundation for the Carolingian Empire. -
The Crowning of Charlemagne
On Christmas Day in the year 800, Charlemagne walked into Old St. Peter's Basilica, where he was crowned "Emperor of Rome" by Pope Leo III. This was Pope Leo III's attempt at resuming the line of Roman Emperors, upsetting the emperor in the East. Charlemagne's biographer said that Charlemagne had no clue this crowning was to happen, but this is highly unlikely. -
Death of Pepin the Short
Pepin the Short, son of Charles "The Hammmer" Martel, King of the Franks from 752 until his death in 768, left his empire to his two sons Carloman and Charlemagne. This led to the death of Carloman, leaving Charlemagne as the sole ruler of the Frankish Empire. -
Bloody Verdict of Verden
Near the city of Verden, in 782, Charlemagne the Great, had 4,500 Saxon rebels executed for the refusal of Christian worship. They were beheaded for pagan worship and according to accounts of the massacre, the river ran red with blood for days following.
