Martin of Laon
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Martin(also known as Martin of Herstal, Count of Laon, Count of Herstal) (647-680) was the count of Laon in the late 7th century.
After the assassination of King Dagobert II of Austrasia in 679, Count Martin (he is referenced as dux Martinus) and Pepin of Herstal were the leading noblemen of Austrasia and led the resistance against Neustrian mayor Ebroin, who had designs on all of Francia. Ebroin defeated the Austrasians in the Battle of Lucofao (679/80). Pepin escaped to Cologne; Martin made it back to Laon, where he was slain on Ebroin's orders.[1] Martin's date of death is unknown. He is buried in Saint Denis Basilique.
Possible family connections[]
Martin has only few mentions in medieval texts, which left much about him to speculation.
Some historians are suggesting that Martin was the brother of Pepin of Herstal,[2][3] while others didn't make that connection or refute it.[4][1] If they were indeed brothers, this relationship would place Martin as one of the sons of Ansegisel and Begga and as the grandson of Arnulf of Metz.
Martin has also been suggested as the husband of Bertrada of Prüm which would make him father of Charibert of Laon, who is himself a grandfather of Charlemagne. This possible relationship is also uncertain.
References[]
- ^ a b Rudolf Schieffer: Die Karolinger. — Stuttgart, Berlin, Cologne: W. Kohlhammer press 1992. — p. 22—38, 40—43, 47, 50, 53, 70, 139.
- ^ B. S. Bachrach: Early Carolingian Warfare: Prelude to Empire — University of Pennsylvania 2001, p. 7-10 and p. 264
- ^ R. A. Gerberding: The Rise of the Carolingians and the Liber Historiae Francorum — Oxford University Press 1987, p. 79-84
- ^ Heinrich Hahn in: Allgemeine Deutsche Biographie, Bavarian Academy of Sciences 1888, Volume 26, p. 154–155. digitized version
- 7th-century Frankish nobility
- 7th-century rulers in Europe
- European nobility stubs