When the Roman Empire collapsed in 476AD, barbarians took over Western Europe and made it a violent and chaotic place. But, when the barbarian Franks converted to Catholicism they became powerful defenders of the Church! In 732AD, Muslim armies were invading through Spain into France. The king was too weak to fight, so Charles Martel bravely led an army to battle! His band of Frankish warriors stopped the Muslim advance at the Battle of Tours.

He was hailed all over Europe as the Defender of Christendom. He was so famous that his descendants started a new line of kings, the Carolingians His grandson was the first Holy Roman Emperor, Charlemagne!