Family
 Charles Martel of the Franks, Duke and Prince of the Franks and Mayor of the Palace 1) 2) 3) 4)Son of Pepin of Herstal, Duke and Prince of the Franks and Mayor of the Palace and Alpaide of Bruyeres. Born ± 688 Died 22 Oct 741, approximately 53 years 2) Notes: Charles Martel was a Frankish statesman and military leader who as Duke and Prince of the Franks and Mayor of the Palace, was the de facto ruler of Francia from 718 until his death. The Foundation for Medieval Genealogy provides a summary of the evidence supporting Charles being the father of Aldana (http://fmg.ac/Projects/MedLands/FRANKSMaiordomi.htm#_Toc143752561): "Settipani quotes an Aquitaine necrology which lists "Willelmus…pater eius Theodericus, mater Aldana soror Hiltrudis et Landradæ"[229]. He suggests that "Hiltrudis" was the wife of Odilo Duke of Bavaria, and therefore that all three sisters were daughters of Charles "Martel". The theory is attractive but not conclusive, as its validity depends on there being no other contemporary Hiltrudis, which is not provable. If it is correct, there is no indication about the mother of Landrada and Aldana. Hlawitschka highlights the case against the affiliation[230]. However, the evidence of the 25 May 765 charter, quoted above under Aldana’s supposed sister Landrada, suggests that Settipani’s hypothesis may be correct. In addition, Einhard indicates that Theoderic [I] was related to Charles I King of the Franks when he records that in 782 King Charles sent his three missi "Adalgiso camerario et Geilone comite stabuli et Worado comite palati" to meet "in…Saxonis…Theodericus comes, propinquus regis"[231]. One possible relationship being between the king and Theoderic [I] would have been through his wife, if she had been the king's paternal aunt. "Willelmus…comes" names "genitore meo Theuderico et genitrice mea Aldana" in his charter dated 14 Dec 804 (version two: dated 15 Dec 804) for the foundation of the monastery of Gellone[232]. m THEODERIC [I] Comte d'Autun, son of --- (-before 804).] " Married/ Related to:  Rotrude UnknownDied ± 724 Notes: Determining Rotrude's ancestry is extremely problematic, with multiple conflicting attempts gaining popularity at varying times. The Foundation for Medieval Genealogy makes a reasonable case for Rotrude being called Rotrude or similar hence her inclusion here (http://fmg.ac/Projects/MedLands/FRANKSMaiordomi.htm#_Toc143752561). Children: 1. Aldana of the FranksBorn ± 722 Died before 755 Notes: See commentary for Theodoric of Autun for evidence making Aldana the daughter of Charles Martel, wife of Theodoric and mother of WIlliam. | |||
Sources
1) Source: Les Ancètres de Charlemagne (2nd edition) Identifies 8 "certain" ancestors:1. Charlemagne2. Pepin (king of the Franks) 751-7683. Berthe4. Charles Martel (duke of the Franks) 717-7416. Caribert (count of Laon)8. Pepin (master of the Palace) 688/90-7149. Alpaïde13. Berthe (founder of the Abbey of Prüm)16. Ansegisel (member of the Household) 648... and 5 almost "certain" ancestors:Almost certain:5. Rotrude17. Begga (founder of the Abbey of Andenne)32. St. Arnulf (bishop of Metz) 612-62934. Pepin (master of the Palace of Austrasia)35. Itte (founder of the Abbey of Nivelles). External Linkhttps://groups.google.com/forum/#!msg/soc.genealogy.medieval/LuxIQtuqqEQ/hg5_bzFPQ_AJ. Reference: Francisco Tavares de Almeida citing Settipani (Questionable reliability of evidence)
2) Source: Carolingian Chronicles: Royal Frankish Annals and Nithard's Histories "741 Charles, mayor of the palace, died. He left three sons as heirs, Carloman, Pepin and Grifo". Reference: RFA (Data from secondary evidence)
3) Source: Genealogia comitum Bulonensium A short genealogy connecting the early Merovingians to the later counts of Boulogne, written circa the 11th century. The earliest generations are almost certainly fictional. Considered a reliable secondary source for generations from Arnulf of Metz onwards. Considered a "primary" source for events from the year 1000 onwards.. External Link
https://www.dmgh.de/mgh_ss_9/index.htm#page/300/ (Data from secondary evidence)
4) Source: Vita Hludovici Imperatoris "Sanctus Arnulfus cum esset in iuventute dux, genuit Ansgisum ducem; Ansgisus dux genuit Pippinum seniorem et ducem: Pippinus senior et dux genuit Karolum seniorem et ducem: Karolus senior et dux genuit Pippinum". Reference: 1 (Data from secondary evidence)
5) Source: The Henry Project . External Link
https://fasg.org/projects/henryproject/data/charl000.htm. Reference: Charlemagne (Karolus Magnus, Charles the Great, Karl der Große) (Questionable reliability of evidence)
6) Source: Carolingian Chronicles: Royal Frankish Annals and Nithard's Histories "757... he promised fealty to King Pepin and his sons Charles and Carloman". Reference: RFA (Data from secondary evidence)
7) Source: Carolingian Chronicles: Royal Frankish Annals and Nithard's Histories "768... There he died on September 24.". Reference: RFA (Data from secondary evidence)