The Battle of Tertry was an important engagement in Merovingian Gaul between the forces of Austrasia under Pepin II on one side and those of Neustria and Burgundy on the other.[1] It took place in 687 at Tertry, Somme,[2] and the battle is presented as an heroic account in the Annales mettenses priores. After achieving victory on the battlefield at Tertry, the Austrasians dictated the political future of the Neustrians.
The powerful Austrasian mayor of the palace, Pepin II had concluded peace with his Neustrian counterpart, Waratton, in 681. However, Waratton's successors had renewed the conflict between Austrasia and Neustria, which was common in times of disunion. The Frankish realm was then united under King Theuderic III, who inherited Austrasia in 679. Theuderic III—born and raised in Neustria and a Neustrian at heart—and the nobles of Neustria and Burgundy, under their mayor, Berchar, invaded Austrasia territory. Berchar and Theuderic were routed at Tertry by Pepin in 687 and the Austrasians held the field.[3] Historian Michael Frassetto avows that the war during which the battle of Tertry occurred was essentially the result of a long-standing feud between Austrasian and Neustrian leaders and the civil strife within Neustria itself.[4] According to the text of the Annales mettenses priores—likely written at the Chelles monastery—Pepin II had led the Austrasians to a magnificent victory during the battle of Tertry.[5]
Their supremacy vindicated on a battlefield, the victors forced Berchar out of office and Pepin appointed Nordebert to act on his behalf in Neustria. [6] The king was forced to recognise Pepin's mayorship over Austrasia, Neustria and Burgundy.[7] Eclipsing the Neustrian Mayors, Pepin's victory brought about the effective end of the old seat of Merovingian power, enabling the Arnulfing Mayors to control Neustrian political developments.[8] According to historian Rosamond McKitterick, the Battle of Tertry constitutes one of the decisive moments for the Carolingian house and its history.[9] Despite the importance of Tertry in strengthening Pepin's position, it was another two generations before Pepin the Short claimed the kingship of the Franks.[10]
The legacy of the battle was the further diminution of royal authority; the supremacy of Austrasia over the rest of the realm, characterised by later conquests to the east and the Aachen-centred Carolingian Empire; the undisputed right to rule of the Arnulfing clan, Pepin even taking the title of dux et princeps Francorum; and, finally, the personal gains to Pepin, who "reigned", as one chronicle put it, thereafter over all the Franks for 27 more years. Pepin spent the remainder of the seventh century and the early years of the eighth-century reestablishing Frankish supremacy in Germany, during which time he forced the Frisians, Saxons, Alemanni, Suebians, Thuringians, and Bavari peoples to acknowledge their subordination to the Franks.[11]
From the battle of Tertry forward, a mayor from Pepin's clan remained the senior figure within Francia.[12] Under Pepin's heir — his illegitimate son Charles Martel — the Franks would achieve their most important victory in checking the Muslim advance into central Europe. Martel's rule also delineates the beginning of Carolingian power.[13]
The BattleofTertry was an important engagement in Merovingian Gaul between the forces of Austrasia under Pepin II on one side and those of Neustria and...
east of Amiens, on the D44 and D45 crossroads. Tertry was the site of the battleofTertry in 687, where Pepin of Herstal defeated Berchar, mayor of the...
at the BattleofTertry in 687, thus paving the way for Austrasian dominance of the Frankish state. Theuderic married Chrothildis, a daughter of Ansegisel...
victory at the BattleofTertry in 687, Pippin of Herstal extended his influence into Neustria. His death in 714 was followed by years of civil war between...
predominantly the kingdom of the Arnulfing mayors of the palace and their base of power. With the BattleofTertry in 687, Pepin of Heristal defeated the...
of Frankish history from the victory of Pepin II in the BattleofTertry (687) to the time of writing (c. 806). Although the annals do cover events following...
the Middle triumphed in 687 in the BattleofTertry. After this, Pepin, though not a king, was the political ruler of the Frankish kingdom and left this...
was defeated by Pepin of Herstal, the Arnulfing mayor of Austrasia and the real power in that kingdom, at the BattleofTertry and was forced to accept...
Herstal, mayor of the palace of Austrasia, ended the strife between various kings and their mayors with his 687 victory at the BattleofTertry. Pepin was...
Pepin of Heristal took the title Duke and Prince of the Franks (dux et princeps Francorum) after his conquest of Neustria in at the BattleofTertry, which...
(1984). "Observations on the Outgrowth of Pippinid Influence in the "Regnum Francorum" After the BattleofTertry (687-715)". Medieval Prosopography. 5...
the battleofTertry (687). The Annales Mettenses Priores, written as a piece of Carolingian (Pippinid) propaganda, does not even mention the battle. Geary...
Theme of Thrace in the Balkan Peninsula. BattleofTertry: King Theuderic III of Neustria is defeated by Pepin of Herstal, mayor of the palace of Austrasia...
kings, traditionally known as les rois fainéants. After the BattleofTertry in 687, each mayor of the palace, who had formerly been the king's chief household...
III and the Neustrian mayor, now Berchar, in combat. They met at the BattleofTertry, where the AMP records that Pippin, after offering peace which was...
center of attention, and conferring on him complete power from the BattleofTertry onwards." This change in focus, while not invalid per se, certainly...
Neustria and Burgundy (as a sort of regent) after the BattleofTertry in 687. Pepin's sons were given the mayoralties of these realms in 695 (or thereabouts)...
these events, see History of Germany. See also the list of German monarchs and list of chancellors of Germany and the list of years in Germany. Centuries:...
(1984). "Observations on the Outgrowth of Pippinid Influence in the Regnum Francorum after the BattleofTertry (687–715)" (PDF). Medieval Prosopography...
Theme of Thrace in the Balkan Peninsula. BattleofTertry: King Theuderic III of Neustria is defeated by Pepin of Herstal, mayor of the palace of Austrasia...
annal of 687 concerns the battleofTertry, at which the Carolingian ancestor Pippin of Heristal defeated his Neustrian rivals. The final annal of 810 records...
that of Georg Pertz in the Monumenta Germaniae Historica. The first entry in the Annales Petaviani is for the year 687 and records the BattleofTertry. There...
murdered in 680. In 687, Pippin of Herstal, mayor of the palace of the King of Austrasia, defeated the Neustrians at Tertry. Neustria's mayor Berchar was...
and was repeatedly occupied by both sides. The 1918 Battleof Amiens was the opening phase of the Hundred Days Offensive which directly led to the Armistice...