Charles Martel was born on August 23, 686 AD, Herstal, Belgium. He was a merciless warlike ruler who went by as Charles the Hammer. He got his nickname from his victory at Poitiers in 732. Charles was Mayor of the Palace of the kingdom of the Franks. Some facts about him: He rewarded his followers, but crushed his opponents. He gifted his followers by providing land from defeated opponents and from the church. He was considered a generous donator to monasteries, but he greatly doubted bishops and abbots because they belonged to aristocratic families. He thought to himself that by taking Church property, the owners wouldn’t be involved in politics that would overthrow him from power and to strengthen him as a Christian ruler. He was an expert
