Charles DE HERSTAL

Medieval Lands by Charles Cawley, Foundation for Medieval Genealogy CHARLES “Martel”, son of PEPIN [II] "le Gros" or "d'Herstal" & hissecond [wife] Chalpais [Alpais] ([690]-Quierzy-sur-Oise, Aisne 16 or22 Oct 741, bur église de l'abbaye royale de Saint Denis). TheChronicon Moissiacense names "Karolum" as son of "Pippinus præfatusprinceps…ex alia uxore nomine Alpaigde"[152]. He was imprisoned byhis father's first wife after his father died[153]. However, theNeustrians revolted against Plectrudis, Charles escaped, was at firstdefeated by the Neustrians, but won the battle of Amblève, near Liège,in 716. He was victorious at Vinchy, near Cambrai, 28 May 717 afterwhich Chilperic II King of Neustria fled with his maior domus, leavingCharles unchallenged to succeed as maior domus in Austrasia."Karolus" donated his part in "villa Bollane" to "monasteriumEfternacum" by charter dated dated 23 Feb 717, which names "genitoremeo Pippino"[154]. He conquered the Saxons in 718 and the Frisians in719 when he captured Utrecht. He conquered the Neustrians, togetherwith their ally Eudes Duke of Aquitaine, in 719. He released andrecognised King Chilperic II, becoming maior domus in Neustria."Theudericus rex Francorum" confirmed a donation to the abbey of StDenis on the request of "Carlo maiorem domus nostro" by charter dated1 Mar 723[155]. He defeated the Muslim invaders, under Abd-al-Rahmanbin Abd Allah al-Ghafiqi [Governor of Andalucía], at Moussais nearPoitiers 25 Oct 732. The dating of the various Muslim incursions insouthern France in the 720s/730s is discussed in the Histoire Généralede Languedoc[156]. He extended his authority to other Frenchprovinces: Hunald Duke of the Aquitanians swore allegiance to him in736, he subjugated Burgundy and Provence in 736-738. In 737, heomitted to nominate a successor on the death of King Theoderic IV,signalling the effective end of the Merovingian monarchy. Thecontinuation of the Annales Sancti Amandi record the death "741 IdOct" of "Karolus dux Francorum"[157]. The necrology of the abbey ofSaint-Denis records the death "XVII Kal Nov" of "Karolusprinceps"[158]. The Continuator of Fredegar records the same date forhis death and his burial place[159]. m firstly CHROTHRUDIS, daughter of --- ([690]-725). The AnnalesLaureshamenses record the death in 724 of "Hortrudis"[160]. TheAnnales Mosellani record the death in 725 of "Chrothrud"[161].Settipani quotes a name list in the Liber confraternitatum augiensiswhich reads in part "Karolus maior domus, Pippin rex…Karolusimperator…Ruadtrud, Ruadheid, Svanahild regina, Bertha regina,Hiltikart regina, Fastrat regina, Liutkart regina…"[162]. He makesthe obvious links between "Karolus maior domus…Svanahild regina","Pippin rex…Bertha regina" and "Karolus imperator…Hiltikart regina,Fastrat regina, Liutkart regina", deducing that "Ruadtrud, Ruadheid"must also be linked logically to "Karolus maior domus" because of theorder in which the names are listed. The Annales Petaviani record thedeath in 725 of "Chrotrudis" but do not specify that she was Charles´swife[163]. The primary source which specifically names the first wifeof Charles "Martel" has not been identified. m secondly (725) SUANACHILDIS [Suanhilde], niece of ODILO Duke ofBavaria, daughter of --- (-after 17 Sep 741). The precise parentageof Suanachildis is not known. The Continuator of Fredegar recordsthat "matrona quondam…Beletrude et nepta sua Sunnichilde" werecaptured and taken to Austrasia by Charles "Martel" in [724/25][164].Einhard names "Swannhilde neptem Odilonis ducis Baioariorum" as themother of Grifo[165]. The precise relationship between Suanhilde andPilitrude, who was the wife in turn of the brothers Grimoald andTheodoald, has not been identified. She instigated the marriage ofher stepdaughter to Odilo Duke of Bavaria according to the Continuatorof Fredegar[166]. After the death of her husband, she incited her sonto rebel against her stepsons. She was defeated and sent to themonastery of Chelles, Seine-et-Marne. "Karlus maiorum domus filiusPippini quondam" donated property "villa Clippiacum in pago Parisiaco"to the abbey of St Denis by charter dated 17 Sep 741, subscribed by"Radberti comitis, Raygaubaldi comitis, Salaconis comitis, matroneSonechildis, Grifonis filii sui"[167]. Mistress (1): CHROTHAIS, daughter of ---. Settipani quotes a namelist in the Liber confraternitatum augiensis, quoted above underChrothrudis first wife of Charles "Martel", concluding that "Ruadtrud,Ruadheid" must be linked logically to "Karolus maior domus" because ofthe order in which the names are listed[168]. Mistress (2): ---. The name of the second mistress of Charles"Martel" is not known. Charles "Martel" & his first wife had three children: 1. CARLOMAN ([705/10]-4 Dec 754, bur Vienne, Isère). Einhardnames "Karlomannum…et Pippinum atque Grifonem" as the three sons of"Karlus maior domus" when recording the latter's death[169]. TheGenealogica Arnulfi Comitis names (in order) "Pipinum, Karlomannum,Griphonem et Bernardum" sons of "Karolus senior…ex regina"[170]."Karlomanni filii eius" subscribed the charter dated 1 Jan 722 underwhich "Karolus maiorum domus filius Pippini quondam" donated property"castrum…Fethna sitam in pago Nifterlaco" to the monastery "inframuros Traiecto castro"[171]. He succeeded his father as maior domus,jointly with his brother Pépin. They deprived their half-brotherGrifo of his inheritance, and defeated him after he rebelled againstthem. In the division of territories agreed with his brother,Carloman governed Austrasia, Alemannia, Thuringia and northern Alsace.The brothers were faced with revolts in Frisia, Bavaria, Alemanniaand Aquitaine. As a symbolic assertion of their authority, theynominated Childeric III as [Merovingian] king in 743. Einhard recordsthat "Karlomannus" was in Saxony at "castrum Hohseoburg" and thereaccepted the surrender of "Theodericum Saxonem illius loci primarium"in 743[172]. "Childerichus rex Francorum" with "Karolomanno maioresdomus, rectori palatio nostro" confirmed donations to the monastery ofStablo and Malmedy by charter dated Jul 744[173]. In 745, Carloman'sbrother Pépin appropriated the province of Alemannia for himself.Carloman reasserted his authority with an expedition against theAlemans in 746, massacring the leaders who had betrayed him to hisbrother. This triggered the defection of his other supporters, andCarloman relinquished power. The Chronicon Sancti MedardiSuessionensis records that “Carlomannus frater Pippini junioris”became a monk in 745 and that “Pippinus junior parvus frater eius”obtained the whole of “Principatum Francorum”[174]. The RoyalFrankish Annals record that, after 15 Aug 747, he left for Rome, wherehe built the monastery of St Sylvester on Monte Soracte before movingto the monastery of St Benedict at Monte Cassino where he became amonk[175]. He returned to France in 753 to oppose the request by PopeStephen III (II) for Frankish help against the Lombards[176]. TheAnnales Moselleni record the death in 754 of "Karlamannus"[177]. m---. The name of Carloman's wife is not known. Carloman & his wifehad [three or more] children: a) DROGO ([730/35]-after 753). "Karlemannus maiorum domusfilius quondam Karoli" made a donation of property including"villa…Levione…in pago Condustrinse…" to "monasterio Stabulaus seuMalmundario" dated 8 Jun [746], subscribed by "Drogone filioeius"[178]. He succeeded his father in 747 as maior domus. His unclePépin set him aside in 753 and sent him to a monastery where he diedsoon after. b) [other children. Settipani refers to texts which refer to"the children of Carloman" without naming them, but he does not citethese sources[179].] 2. PEPIN [III] (715-Saint-Denis 24 Sep 768, bur église del'abbaye royale de Saint Denis). Einhard names "Karlomannum…etPippinum atque Grifonem" as the three sons of "Karlus maior domus"when recording the latter's death[180]. The Genealogica ArnulfiComitis names (in order) "Pipinum, Karlomannum, Griphonem etBernardum" sons of "Karolus senior…ex regina"[181]. He succeeded hisfather as maior domus jointly with his brother Carloman. He succeededin 751 as PEPIN “le Bref” King of the Franks. - KINGS of the FRANKS (CAROLINGIANS). 3. CHILTRUDIS [Hiltrude] (-754, bur Hostenhoven, KlosterGengenbach). The Continuator of Fredegar names "Chiltrudis" asdaughter of Charles "Martel", stating that her "wicked stepmother"incited her to joined Odilo of Bavaria whom she married without thepermission of her brothers[182]. After the death of her husband, shewas regent in Bavaria for her son Duke Tassilo III. The continuatorof the Annales Petaviani record the death in 754 of "Chiltrudis"[183].The Annales Moselleni record the death in 754 of "Hildtrud"[184]. m(741) ODILO Duke of Bavaria [Agilolfinger], son of --- (-18 Jan 748,bur Hostenhoven, Kloster Gengenbach). His brother-in-law Carlomaninvaded Bavaria, and Odilo was forced to recognise Frankish suzeraintyin 744. Charles "Martel" & his [first/second wife/mistress] had two possiblechildren: 4. [LANDRADA . Settipani quotes an Aquitaine necrology whichlists "Willelmus…pater eius Theodericus, mater Aldana soror Hiltrudiset Landradæ"[185]. He suggests that "Hiltrudis" was the wife of OdiloDuke of Bavaria, and therefore that all three sisters were daughtersof Charles "Martel". The theory is attractive but not conclusive, asits validity depends on there being no other contemporary Hiltrudis,which is not provable. If it is correct, there is no indication aboutthe mother of Landrada and Aldana. Hlawitschka highlights the caseagainst the affiliation[186]. However, the evidence of the 25 May 765charter, quoted below, suggests that Settipani´s hypothesis may becorrect.] same person as …? LANDRADA . The Gesta EpiscoporumMettensis names "Chrodegangus antistes…ex pago Hasbaniensi oriundus,patre Sigramno, matre Landrada, Francorum ex genere primæ nobilitatisprogenitus" as Bishop of Metz[187]. The co-identity between Landrada,wife of Sigramnus, and Landrada, supposed daughter of Charles "Martel"is suggested by the charter dated 25 May 765 under which"Grodegangus…archiepiscopus" [son of Sigramnus and Landrada] donatedproperty "in pago Wormacensi…[et] in villa Dagosbesher…in Hostoven,Burdus, in villa Flamersheim ecclesiam" to Gorze, with the consent of"Pipini…Francorum regis, avunculi mei"[188]. m SIGRAMNUS, son of ---. 5. [ALDANA . Settipani quotes an Aquitaine necrology whichlists "Willelmus…pater eius Theodericus, mater Aldana soror Hiltrudiset Landradæ"[189]. He suggests that "Hiltrudis" was the wife of OdiloDuke of Bavaria, and therefore that all three sisters were daughtersof Charles "Martel". The theory is attractive but not conclusive, asits validity depends on there being no other contemporary Hiltrudis,which is not provable. If it is correct, there is no indication aboutthe mother of Landrada and Aldana. Hlawitschka highlights the caseagainst the affiliation[190]. However, the evidence of the 25 May 765charter, quoted above under Aldana´s supposed sister Landrada,suggests that Settipani´s hypothesis may be correct. In addition,Einhard indicates that Theoderic [I] was related to Charles I King ofthe Franks when he records that in 782 King Charles sent his threemissi "Adalgiso camerario et Geilone comite stabuli et Worado comitepalati" to meet "in…Saxonis…Theodericus comes, propinquus regis"[191].One possible relationship being between the king and Theoderic [I]would have been through his wife, if she had been the king's paternalaunt. "Willelmus…comes" names "genitore meo Theuderico et genitricemea Aldana" in his charter dated 14 Dec 804 (version two: dated 15 Dec804) for the foundation of the monastery of Gellone[192]. m THEODERIC[I] Comte d'Autun, son of --- (-before 804).] Charles "Martel" & his second wife had one child: 6. GRIFO ([726]-killed in battle Saint Jean de Maurienne 753).Einhard names "Karlomannum…et Pippinum atque Grifonem" as the threesons of "Karlus maior domus" when recording the latter's death,specifying that "Grifo…minor natu…matrem habuit Swannhilde neptemOdilonis ducis Baioariorum"[193]. The Genealogica Arnulfi Comitisnames (in order) "Pipinum, Karlomannum, Griphonem et Bernardum" sonsof "Karolus senior…ex regina"[194]. "Karlus maiorum domus filiusPippini quondam" donated property "villa Clippiacum in pago Parisiaco"to the abbey of Saint-Denis by charter dated 17 Sep 741, subscribed by"Radberti comitis, Raygaubaldi comitis, Salaconis comitis, matroneSonechildis, Grifonis filii sui"[195]. His father bequeathed to Grifothe central part of his territory, but his stepbrothers Carloman andPépin deprived him of this inheritance and divided the land betweenthemselves. Grifo rebelled, incited by his mother, but was defeatedat Laon and imprisoned by Carloman at Neufchâteau in theArdennes[196]. He was released in 747 by his brother Pépin and fledto Saxony, where he raised an army although armed conflict wasavoided[197]. He invaded Bavaria where he was recognised as duke in748 in succession to Duke Odilo, but was deposed by Pépin whoinstalled their nephew Tassilo III as duke. According to the RoyalFrankish Annals, in 748 Pépin granted Grifo the duchy of Mans andtwelve counties in Neustria, although the source does not identifythese counties more precisely[198]. The Continuator of Fredegarrecords that in 748 "germanus ipsius rege…Gripho" fled once more andallied himself with Waifar Duke of the Aquitanians[199]. Griforebelled yet again, in alliance with the Bretons. He fled to Lombardyto join Aistulf King of the Lombards but was caught and killed whilehe was passing the Alps by "Theudoeno comite Viennense…et FredericoUltraiurano comite"[200], two of Pépin's supporters. His escape toItaly, capture and death at the hands of "Theodoino comite in valleMaurienna" is also recorded in the Annales Laurissenses[201]. m ---.The name of Grifo's wife is not known. Grifo & his wife had [twopossible] children: a) [GRIFO . Settipani refers to a commemorative name listfrom Remiremont in which the names "Griffo, Carolus" followimmediately after another "Griffo", which may indicate that the formerwere sons of the latter[202], although even if this is correct thereis no proof that the latter Grifo was the same person as the son ofCharles "Martel".] b) [CHARLES . Settipani refers to a commemorative name listfrom Remiremont in which the names "Griffo, Carolus" followimmediately after another "Griffo", which may indicate that the formerwere sons of the latter[203], although even if this is correct thereis no proof that the latter Grifo was the same person as the son ofCharles "Martel".] Charles "Martel" had one illegitimate son by Mistress (1): 7. BERNARD (before 732-787). The Genealogica Arnulfi Comitisnames (in order) "Pipinum, Karlomannum, Griphonem et Bernardum" assons of "Karolus senior…ex regina"[204]. Comte. - CAROLINGIAN NOBILITY - FAMILIES of ADALHARD and WALA. Charles "Martel" had two illegitimate sons by Mistress (2): 8. HIERONYMUS (-after [782]). The Genealogica ArnulfiComitis names (in order) "Remigium et Geronimum" as sons of "Karolussenior…ex concubina"[205]. Comte. Abbé de Saint-Quentin. - CAROLINGIAN NOBILITY - FAMILY of HIERONYMUS. 9. REMIGIUS (-787). The Genealogica Arnulfi Comitis names(in order) "Remigium et Geronimum" as sons of "Karolus senior…exconcubina"[206]. Bishop of Rouen 755-771. The Annales Mosellenirecord the death in 787 of "Remigius et Bernehardus"[207]. [152] Chronicon Moissiacense 713, MGH SS I, p. 289. [153] Fredegar (Continuator), 8, MGH SS rer Merov II, p. 173. [154] MGH Diplomatum Imperii I, Diplomata Maiorum Domum, no. 7, p. 96. [155] MGH Diplomatum Imperii I, Diplomata Regum Francorum, no. 93, p.82. [156] Devic, Dom C., Dom Vaissete, Dulaurier, E. (1875) Histoiregénérale de Languedoc, 3rd Edn. (Toulouse), Tome II, Note LXXXIV, p.204. [157] Annales Sancti Amandi Continuatio 741, MGH SS 1, p. 10. [158] Obituaires de Sens Tome I.1, Abbaye de Saint-Denis, p. 328. [159] Fredegar (Continuator), 24, MGH SS rer Merov II, p. 1179. [160] Annales Laureshamenses, MGH SS I, p. 24. [161] Annales Mosellani, MGH SS XVI, p. 494. [162] Settipani, pp. 167-8, quoting Liber confraternitatum augiensis,MGH Lib Confr II, 460, p. 292. [163] Annales Petaviani 725, MGH SS I, p. 9. [164] Fredegar (Continuation), 12, MGH SS rer Merov II, p. 175. [165] Annales Einhardi 741, MGH SS I, p. 135. [166] Fredegar (Continuator), 25, MGH SS rer Merov II, p. 180. [167] MGH Diplomatum Imperii I, Diplomata Maiorum Domum, no. 14, p.101. [168] Settipani, pp. 167-8, quoting Liber confraternitatum augiensis,MGH Lib Confr II, 460, p. 292. [169] Annales Einhardi 741, MGH SS I, p. 135. [170] Genealogiæ Comitum Flandriæ, Witgeri Genealogica Arnulfi ComitisMGH SS IX, p. 302. [171] MGH Diplomatum Imperii I, Diplomata Maiorum Domum, no. 11, p.98. [172] Annales Einhardi 743, MGH SS I, p. 135. [173] MGH Diplomatum Imperii I, Diplomata Regum Francorum, no. 97, p.87. [174] Chronica Sancti Medardi Suessionensis, Spicilegium II, p. 487. [175] Scholz, B. W. with Rogers, B. (2000) Carolingian Chronicles:Royal Frankish Annals and Nithard's Histories (University of MichiganPress) (“RFA”), 746, p. 38. [176] RFA 753, p. 40. [177] Annales Moselleni 754, MGH SS XVI, p. 495. [178] MGH Diplomatum Imperii I, Diplomata Maiorum Domum, no. 15, p.102. [179] Settipani (1993), p. 181. [180] Annales Einhardi 741, MGH SS I, p. 135. [181] Genealogiæ Comitum Flandriæ, Witgeri Genealogica Arnulfi ComitisMGH SS IX, p. 302. [182] Fredegar (Continuator), 25, MGH SS rer Merov II, p. 180. [183] Annalium Petavianorum Continuatio 754, MGH SS I, p. 11. [184] Annales Moselleni 754, MGH SS XVI, p. 495. [185] Settipani (1993), p. 173, quoting Mabillon Acta Sanctorum ord.s. Ben. IV 1, p. 71. [186] Hlawitschka, E. 'Die Vorfahren Karls des Großen', Beumann, H.(ed.) (1965) Karl der Große (Düsseldorf), pp. 76-78, cited inSettipani (1993), p. 174. [187] Pauli Gesta Episcoporum Mettensis , MGH SS II, p. 267. [188] Calmet, A. (1748) Histoire de Lorraine (Nancy), Tome II,Preuves, col. cv. [189] Settipani (1993), p. 173, quoting Mabillon Acta Sanctorum ord.s. Ben. IV 1, p. 71. [190] Hlawitschka, E. 'Die Vorfahren Karls des Großen', Beumann, H.(ed.) (1965) Karl der Große (Düsseldorf), pp. 76-78, cited inSettipani (1993), p. 174. [191] Einhardi Annales 782, MGH SS I, p. 163. [192] Reproduced in Thomassy, R. 'Critique des deux chartes defoundation de l'abbaye de Saint-Guillem-du-Désert', Bibliothèque del'Ecole des Chartes, Série 1, Tome II (Paris 1840-1844), p. 179. [193] Annales Einhardi 741, MGH SS I, p. 135. [194] Genealogiæ Comitum Flandriæ, Witgeri Genealogica Arnulfi ComitisMGH SS IX, p. 302. [195] MGH Diplomatum Imperii I, Diplomata Maiorum Domum, no. 14, p.101. [196] RFA 741, p. 37. [197] RFA 747, p. 38. [198] RFA 748, p. 39. [199] RFA 748, p. 39. [200] Fredegar (Continuator), 35, MGH SS rer Merov II, p. 183. [201] Annales Laurissenses minores 755, 14, MGH SS I, p. 116. [202] Settipani (1993), p. 178. [203] Settipani (1993), p. 178. [204] Genealogiæ Comitum Flandriæ, Witgeri Genealogica Arnulfi ComitisMGH SS IX, p. 302. [205] Genealogiæ Comitum Flandriæ, Witgeri Genealogica Arnulfi ComitisMGH SS IX, p. 302. [206] Genealogiæ Comitum Flandriæ, Witgeri Genealogica Arnulfi ComitisMGH SS IX, p. 302. [207] Annales Moselleni 787, MGH SS XVI, p. 495.

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