BATTLE OF TOURS: 732 A.D.

Battle of Tours: 732 A.D.



Introduction

The Franks were identified by the Romans as barbarians (those who do not follow the Christian religion) of Germany. This tribe settled along the Rhine in 300 AD In the V century, which began its attacks on Roman Gaul (now France). After a long battle, the Franks Gaul annexed to its territory and established a great kingdom, under the leadership of Clovis, a captain of French origin who founded the Merovingian dynasty. Clovis defeated the Romans in Gaul and united the francs to establish a kingdom in 509 they controlled most of Western Europe. When Clovis died, his kingdom was divided among the children. However, this only resulted in a civil war that lasted until the next century. Around 687, the Merovingian dynasty established by Clovis moved to the new provisions introduced by Charles Martel, who became the real power behind the throne, who will now be only illustrative figure.

Through him, the Franks had been given an incredible and powerful cavalry, was so successful in their war contracts that earned the name of Charles the Hammer. In the year 732, he launched a decisive attack the Moors in the Battle of Tours, ending the Islamic expansion in Europe.

Martel successors founded the Carolingian dynasty, and that its largest member was Charlemagne, who ruled the Frankish Empire from 771 to 814, becoming the most powerful commander in Europe. In 800, Pope Leo III crowned Charlemagne as emperor of the Roman Empire.

Charlemagne brought stability to Europe, creating an environment that allowed that culture to flourish again. His empire was again divided among his sons, and the western part of the Frankish Empire became fragmented in France.

The Muslim army in the expansion of the cross country and fighting for Christianity after the conquest of Syria, Egypt and North Africa began its invasion of Western Europe under the leadership of Abd-er Rahman, governor of Spain. Abd-er Rahman led an army of cavalry and mounted infantry, with approximately 60,000 to 400,000 soldiers across the Pyrenees and the Loire.

Abd-er Rahman, invaded Aquitaine (present southwestern France) and defeated its duke Eudes. Eudes, then sought help from Charles Martel who settled near the cities of Tours, to prevent the rise of the Muslim army.

Martel gathered his forces and was against the Islamic army. Muslim invaders went on the attack, believing his tactics and overwhelming in its numerical supremacy of the mounted knights brought victories in the past.

However, the French army, made up of foot soldiers armed with swords, shields, axes, spears and daggers was very well trained. Despite the efficiency of the Islamic Army in previous battles, the local terrain gave them a disadvantage. Its strength was based on his cavalry, armed with a large number of swords and spears. The French army has proved extremely powerful and one of the few times in the Middle Ages, one of infantry stood up against the army of mounted ...