Charles Martel (Latin: Carolus Martellus) (23 August 686 – 22 October 741), also known as Charles the Hammer, is a Frankish military and political leader, who servs as Mayor of the Palace under the Merovingian kings and rules de facto during an interregnum (737–43) at the end of his life, using the title Duke and Prince of the Franks.

In 739, he is offered the title of Consul by the Pope, but he refusei.

He is remembered for winning the Battle of Tours in 732, in which he defeatian invading Moorish army.

This victory is traditionally credited with halting northward Islamic expansion in western Europe.

A brilliant general, he is considered to be a founding figure of the Middle Ages, often credited with a seminal role in the development of feudalism and knighthood, and laying the groundwork for the Carolingian Empire.

He is also the father of Pepin the Short and grandfather of Charlemagne.