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ONE Charles Martel is placed here amongst the Kings of France, not because in his life time hee tooke upon him the Name and Title of a King, but because indeed hee com∣manded all France (after that hee had made an escape out of the imprisonment
of Plectrude his Mother in law) untill his death: having made himselfe to bee created in an Assembly of three Estates of the Kingdome, Prince and Duke of the Frenchmen, more haughty and il∣lustrious than that of Mayre of the Pa∣lace, wherewith his Predecessours were contented, and the Kings that reigned in his time, had onely the bare Name and Title, without any power at all, as it hath beene already mentioned; yea, and after his decease his successors qualified him as a King, as it appeares by his Tombe in the Church of Denis in France, where his Statue is crowned, and acoutred with Robes of Regality, and is written about it in Latine words, Charolus Martellus Rex. And justly hee may be so styled, because there was no King in his time, but who he pleased.
Pepin Heristel was his Father, Ansi∣gise his Grandfather, S. Arnulph his great Grandfather, who being a Wi∣dower was made Bishop of Mets, which S. Arnulph was directly descended in the
Masculine Line of Clodion, the sonne of Pharamond, the first King of France. This Charles was so valiant and gene∣rous, that he obtained the Surname of Martel, for the exceeding great strength of his arme, and the memorable Vi∣ctory which he obtained against the Sa∣racens, neare unto the City of Tours, of whom he slew in the place to the num∣ber of 375. Thousand. He reduced the whole Countrey of Languedoc, other∣wise called Septimany, to the Monarchy of France, which untill that time was not warranted. Hee was very zealous in the defence of the Christian Religi∣on: yea, and Rome it selfe being distres∣sed by the siege of Luitprand, King of the Lombards, and brought into great extremities, Pope Gregory sent by a Bishop Anastasius and Sergius a Priest, the Keyes of the Sepulchre of St. Peter to Prince Martell, whereby he intima∣ted unto him, that he put himselfe, the Church and the City of Rome into his protection and safeguard. Wherefore
he sent Embassadors to the Lombards, to intreate them for his sake to desist, and to permit a peace to the City of Rome: which tooke such effect, that from that time afterward the Popes in all distres∣ses sought to France for reliefe upon all occasions, whereof they never were de∣stitute. In the end the Goths being vanquished, the Saxons and Frizons subdued, Languedoc conquered, and Provence recovered, and France enjoy∣ing the tranquillity of a happy peace. Charles made a distribution of his estate to his Children, and shortly after dyed the 22. of October, Anno Domini 741, who was the first that was ever styled Prince of France, and lyes at St. Denis in France.
This Charles Martell being King of France in power, though not in Title, did make Childeric called Daniel, Clota∣rius the fourth, Theodoric the second, and Childerick the third, successively Kings of France. The Realme and Crowne of France being by Childerick
the third offered to Charles Martell, who refused the Diademe, saying, That it was more glorious to reigne over kings, than to be a King, as appeareth by this Epitaph on his Monument.
He had foure sonnes, Caroloman and Giles of modest milde spirit, Pepin and Griffon rough and ambitious: he left to Caroloman, Austrasia; to Giles, being more hardy, France; and Giles given to devotion, hee made Bishop of Roan; and Griffon being of a turbulent dispo∣tion, had no portion, but was en∣forced to depend on his brothers, whereby the ambition of many bro∣thers reigning together was prevented.
Fame doth report that this Monarchy nor any forraigne State did ever yeeld a worthier man, or any one so well ac∣complisht with so rare and goodly qua∣lities, being greatly admired and gene∣rally beloved for his pious and renow∣ned actions. For Religion, Wisdome, Justice, Valour, modesty in prospe∣rity, resolution in adversity, tempe∣rance in Authority, diligence, and good fortune, made him a most com∣pleate Prince, not wanting any en∣dowments fit for so high a calling; and the example of vertuous perfection, for Vertue is the highest perfection of Na∣ture, beyond which humane frailty cannot reach.