Editing Charles Martel (section)

== Legacy ==
Earlier in his life Charles had many internal opponents and felt the need to appoint his own kingly claimant, [[Chlothar IV|Chlotar IV]]. Later, however, the dynamics of rulership in Francia had changed, and no hallowed Merovingian ruler was required. Charles divided his realm among his sons without opposition (though he ignored his young son [[Bernard, son of Charles Martel|Bernard]]). For many historians, Charles laid the foundations for his son Pepin's rise to the Frankish throne in 751, and his grandson Charlemagne's imperial acclamation in 800. However, for Paul Fouracre, while Charles was "the most effective military leader in Francia", his career "finished on a note of unfinished business".<ref>Paul Fouracre, 'Writing about Charles Martel', in ''Law, Laity and Solidarities: essays in honour of Susan Reynolds,'' ed. Pauline Stafford et al. (Manchester, 2001), pp. 12–26.</ref>

[[File:Charles Martel divise le royaume entre Pépin et Carloman.jpg|thumb|Charles divides the realm between Pepin and Carloman (Grandes Chroniques de France – Bibliothèque Nationale)]]

===Family and children===

Charles married twice, his first wife being [[Rotrude of Hesbaye|Rotrude of Treves]], daughter either of [[Lambert, Count of Hesbaye|Lambert II, Count of Hesbaye]], or of [[Leudwinus]], Count of Treves. They had the following children:

* [[Hiltrud]]
* [[Carolman, son of Charles Martel|Carloman]]<ref name=Riche93 />{{rp|50}}
* Landrade, also rendered as Landres {{Citation needed|date=March 2024}}
* [[Auda of France|Auda]], also rendered as Aldana {{Citation needed|date=March 2024}}
* [[Pepin the Short|Pepin the Younger]]<ref name=Riche93 />{{rp|50}}

Most of the children married and had issue. [[Hiltrud]] married [[Odilo, Duke of Bavaria|Odilo I]] ([[List of rulers of Bavaria|Duke of Bavaria]]). Landrade was once believed to have married a [[Sigramnus, Count of Hesbaye|Sigrand]] (Count of Hesbania) but Sigrand's wife was more likely the sister of Rotrude. [[Auda of France|Auda]] married [[Thierry IV|Theoderic, Count of Autun]].

Charles also married a second time, to [[Swanachild|Swanhild]] and they had a child named [[Grifo (noble)|Grifo]].<ref name=Riche93 />{{rp|50}}

With mistress [[Ruodhaid]] he had:

* [[Bernard, son of Charles Martel|Bernhard]] (c. 720–787)

With an unnamed mistress he had:
* [[Hieronymus, son of Charles Martel|Hieronymus]] (c. 722 – after 782),
* [[Remigius of Rouen|Remigius]] (c. 725–771), [[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Rouen|archbishop of Rouen]].