Battle of Tours: Quick Facts

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Facts

Date	732
Location	France • Loire River • Poitiers • Tours
Participants	Caliphate • Frank

Photos

Painting by Charles de Steuben depicting the Battle of Poitiers, with armored soldiers fighting on a chaotic battlefield near a large stone cross.

Wood engraving showing Charles Martel raising a battle axe while on horseback during the Battle of Tours, surrounded by armored soldiers and horses in combat.

Historical map showing the Carolingian Empire at its height under Charlemagne, including the core Frankish Kingdom of 768, later acquisitions up to 814, and surrounding tributary peoples. An inset map depicts the territorial divisions of the empire after the Treaty of Verdun in 843, splitting it into three separate kingdoms. Major regions, cities, and neighboring peoples are labeled throughout western and central Europe.

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Key People

Charles Martel in full armour.

Charles Martel

Frankish ruler

D-Day. American soldiers fire rifles, throw grenades and wade ashore on Omaha Beach next to a German bunker during D Day landing. 1 of 5 Allied beachheads est. in Normandy, France. The Normandy Invasion of World War II launched June 6, 1944.

A History of War

Louis IX of France (St. Louis), stained glass window of Louis IX during the Crusades. (Unknown location.)

World Wars

Civil War era cannon overlooks Kennesaw Mountain National Battle. (military, artillery, American history)

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