Charlemagne And The Franks

Currently Playing: The Battle Of Tours: Warlords Of The West

This is episode 3 of our series on The Franks, episode 1 here: https://youtu.be/jrssgDRN9lQ Full playlist here: www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEbAHi3fZpuGe8ekdHDF7lLHiZo8vENbQ The Rest Is History merch store is available here: goalhanger.shop/collection/the-rest-is-history/ This is episode 522 of The Rest Is History. The book Tom refers to is Early Caroligian Warfare by Bernard S. Bachrach By 711 Europe and the Frankish warlords were facing a graver threat than ever before. Bands of Northern African, nominally Muslim raiders had begun a steady incursion throughout the West, loosely unified under the banner of the Umayyads. Having already taken and plundered the Christian territories of the Goths, their eyes now fell upon the Frankish kingdom in Gaul, by now the greatest power in Europe. It would be a formidable prize if taken. But fortunately for the Franks, their leader was the greatest of their warlords since the rise of Clovis I: the mighty Charles Martel. Finally, the two great hosts - Charles with his allies from Aquitaine and the Umayyads under the leadership of Abd al-Rahman al-Ghafiqi. A world shaking, spear shattering, blood-letting battle would ensue, the outcome of which would come to determine the future of Europe. Join Tom and Dominic as they discuss the build up to, climax, and aftermath of the Battle of Tours - one of the most important battles in Western history, which would prove the making of the Franks, and pave the road to the ascent of Charlemagne. 00:00 The most important battle in world history? 11:10 How did the battle come about? 15:35 The situation in the Kingdom of the Franks 23:20 The attention turns to the invaders 31:00 The invaders head north 38:20 Their weaponry 42:42 Was the only way out a decisive battle 46:00 The Franks line holds… 46:30 The second day of the battle 47:30 What is the importance of this battle? Join this channel to get access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUYK0BJZF3yNb2fw1EdAXUQ/join Twitter: @TheRestHistory @holland_tom @dcsandbrook Producer: Theo Young-Smith Assistant Producer: Tabby Syrett Social Producer: Harry Balden Video Editor: Jack Meel Executive Producers: Jack Davenport + Tony Pastor