Plectrude and Theudoald: How Charles Martel Takes Over (714–717)

Charles Martel’s rise does not begin with a coronation, but with a war of succession. In 714, Pepin of Herstal’s inheritance is immense: treasure, clients, military command. The question is who controls it.

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👑 Plectrude’s regency

Pepin’s widow Plectrude imposes her grandson Theudoald as heir to power in Austrasia. Theudoald is still a child, so government is in reality a regency. To secure this option, Plectrude’s faction arrests Charles, Pepin’s son by Alpaida, whose legitimacy is contested.

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⚔️ The Neustrian counter‑move

In Neustria, the mayor of the palace Ragenfrid rejects the regency and relies on King Chilperic II. The realm becomes a battlefield of rival provinces and factions: Austrasia versus Neustria, local loyalties versus “imposed power”.

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🏇 Escape and victories (716–717)

Charles escapes in 715 and rallies Austrasian aristocrats. He imposes himself through a simple strategy: win, then transform victory into political authority.

• Amblève (716): Charles’s first major victory over Neustrian forces.
• Vinchy (717): a decisive success that opens the road north and weakens his enemies durably.

After these victories, Charles marches on Cologne. Plectrude submits and hands over the treasure and symbols of Pippinid power.

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🧠 Key takeaways

• 714–717 is a succession crisis as much as a war between provinces.
• Charles rises through Austrasian alliance and military victory.
• Plectrude’s surrender and the handover of the treasure mark the shift: Pippinid power passes to Charles.