Battle of Amblève

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Battles of the Frankish Civil War of 715-718
Compiègne – Cologne – Amblève – Vincy – Soissons

The Battle of Amblève took place in 716 near Amel. The mayor of the palace of Austrasia, Charles Martel, defeated his Neustrian and Frisian rivals who were led by King Chilperic II, his mayor Ragenfrid, and Radbod, Duke of the Frisians. It was the first major victory of Martel in a long career of victories. In fact, he remained undefeated the remainder of his life, over a quarter century against a wide variety of opponents, including internal ones such as these, the Caliphate, then one of the world's most powerful state, and a number of ferocious barbarians. In this battle Martel began demonstrating the military genius which would mark the remainder of his life.

Following his defeat at Cologne Martel rallied his supporters in the mountains of the Eifel. His forces then attacked the army of Chilperic II and his allies at the Battle of Amblève near Ameland as they returned triumphantly from Cologne. Martel used a feigned retreat, falling on his foes as they rested at midday, and feigning falling back to draw them fully out of a defensive position, where he defeated them. According to the Annals of Metz the casualties he inflicted on his foes were substantial. Martel remained undefeated until his death 25 years later.

Subsequently Martel recovered much of the ransom paid by Plectrude to the king and Ragenfrid for Cologne.

A "feigned retreat," which became famous as one of the Mongols' three favorite tactics, is one of the most difficult to perform during a battle, requiring discipline on the part of the troops and good timing on the part of the commander. The tactic involves getting troops to appear to flee only to reverse and stand once they have lured an opponent out of a stronger position, and have usually strung them out in pursuit, where they are easily picked off. Martel was the only general known to use it during the Dark Ages.

[edit] References

Bachrach, Bernard S. (2000). Early Carolingian Warfare: Prelude to Empire. University of Pennsylvania Press. ISBN 0812235339
Bennett, Bradsbury, Devries, Dickie and Jestice, Fighting Techniques of the Medieval World
Davies, Wendy and Fouracre, Paul (2002). Property and Power in the Early Middle Ages. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. ISBN 0521522250
Halsall, Guy (2003). Warfare and Society in the Barbarian West 450-900. London: Routledge. ISBN 0415239397