Battle of Tertry
687 CE · Tertry (modern Somme, France) · World · Medieval
Pepin's army routed the Neustria-Burgundy coalition and effectively took control of the office of mayor of the palace for the entire Frankish Kingdom.
Belligerents
Austrasia
- Commanders
- Pepin of Herstal
- Strength
- Austrasian army
Neustria-Burgundy
- Commanders
- Berchar
- Strength
- Coalition
Background
As the Merovingian royal family declined and the mayors of the palace in various regions vied for real power, Pepin expanded westward from his base in Austrasia.
Course of the battle
- AdvancePepin led the Austrasian army west into Neustria.
- Decisive battleThe two armies met head-on at Tertry, and the coalition, unable to hold, scattered.
Outcome at a glance
| Date | 687 CE |
|---|---|
| Place | Tertry (modern Somme, France) |
| Result | Pepin's army routed the Neustria-Burgundy coalition and effectively took control of the office of mayor of the palace for the entire Frankish Kingdom. |
| Winner | Austrasia |
| Casualties | The coalition scattered; no precise record of casualties survives. |
| Territorial change | Real power over all the Franks passed to Pepin's family, and the Merovingian royal family was reduced to puppets. |
Impact
From then on the Carolingian family held real power over the whole Frankish realm, paving the way for its later usurpation of the throne and founding of a new dynasty.
See the world in 687 on the map →