Battle+of+Tours

=Battle of Tours= The Battle of Tours, also known as Poitiers, was an incredibly important battle between the encroaching Muslim army coming from Spain and the Franks. On October 10, 732 Charles Martel (the Hammer) and his Frankish army defeated the Muslim army being led by Abd-er Rahman near the French town of Tours. The Frankish foot soldiers were able to best the less numerous cavalry of the Muslim army. The reason that the Battle of Tours is considered to be so important is because it ended the Muslim expansion into Europe. The amazing speed of the spread of Islam to North Africa and southern Spain may have continued into the rest of Europe if Charles Martel had lost that battle. Charlemagne may not have ever been crowned king of the Franks by the Christian pope in 800 had it not been for the Frankish victory at the battle of Tours. Link back to Unit 3 Created by Joe Hampton on October 21, 2008

http://www.thenagain.info/webchron/WestEurope/Tours.html