September – Charles Martel leads his
Frankish army (30,000 men) to
Orléans and crosses the
Loire River, probably accompanied by Eudes of Aquitaine, with his remaining troops. He makes camp near
Tours, probably at
Ballan-Miré south-west of the fortress city, in order to protect the
abbey of
Saint Martin. Charles defeats or forces back Umayyad
scouts or an
advance guard, between the rivers
Indre and
Creuse. Abdul Rahman Al Ghafiqi pulls back to establish a position at the
Vienne River.[3]
October – The Frankish army crosses the Vienne River and establishes a camp at or around the partially abandoned Roman mansion or
agricultural settlement, now known as 'Vieux-Poitiers' (near
Châtellerault), perhaps using the Roman
theatre with its substantial towers as a
fortification. Charles Martel forms a defensive position across the Roman road, and fends off Muslim
skirmishes during the 'seven days' stand-off, probably involving scouts, and perhaps raiders from both armies.[4]
October 10 –
Battle of Tours: The Frankish and Burgundian forces under Charles Martel defeat a large army of Abdul Rahman Al Ghafiqi, near Poitiers, halting the
Islamic advance into Western Europe; Rahman Al Ghafiqi is killed during the battle. Charles extends his authority in the south of
France, which gives him the nickname Martellus ("The Hammer"). The outcome of the victory is a turning point, and establishes a balance of power between
Western Europe and the
Byzantine Empire.[5]
Muslim forces withdraw southwards to
Septimania; a separate part probably pulls back along the road it originally came through, across the Pyrenees Mountains. Eudes of Aquitaine pursues the main Muslim army via
La Marche, before returning to Bordeaux; Charles Martel withdraws to Frankish territory through Orléans and
Auxerre, demoting those
bishops whom he thought unreliable.
Abd al-Malik ibn Katan al-Fihri becomes the new governor (wali) of Al-Andalus; a separate Muslim force raids the
Rhône region.[2]
Ecgbert is appointed bishop of
York, by his cousin Ceolwulf of Northumbria.[7] He founds a
library, and makes the city a renowned centre of learning (approximate date).