HistoryData
war737

Frankish expedition and battle in Septimania

January 1, 0737

Charles Martel's victory at River Berre halted Umayyad Muslim expansion beyond the Pyrenees into Frankish territory.

Quick Facts

Year
737
Category
war

Key Facts

Year
737
Location
Mouth of River Berre, Department of Aude
Frankish commander
Charles Martel
Umayyad commander
Yusuf ibn Abd al-Rahman al-Fihri
Context
Siege of Narbonne, campaigns of 736–737

Location

Map of Narbonne, FranceMap of Narbonne, FranceNarbonne, France

Cause → Event → Consequence

Cause

Umayyad Muslim forces under Yusuf ibn Abd al-Rahman al-Fihri, governor of Septimania, sought to maintain and extend Arab control north of the Pyrenees. Frankish Carolingian forces under Charles Martel launched military campaigns in 736–737 to counter this expansion and relieve pressure around Narbonne.

Event

In 737, Frankish and Umayyad forces clashed at the mouth of the River Berre in present-day Aude during the siege of Narbonne. Charles Martel's army engaged and defeated the Muslim forces led by Yusuf ibn Abd al-Rahman al-Fihri, securing a significant Frankish battlefield victory.

Consequence

The Frankish victory at the River Berre effectively checked further Umayyad territorial expansion beyond the Pyrenees. Charles Martel consolidated Carolingian dominance in the region, limiting Muslim political and military influence in what is now southern France.

Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis

Side A

1 belligerent

Frankish Carolingians
Key Commanders

Charles Martel.

Side B

1 belligerent

Umayyad Muslim forces of Septimania
Key Commanders

Yusuf ibn Abd al-Rahman al-Fihri.

Outcome
Frankish victory; Umayyad expansion beyond the Pyrenees halted

Timeline Context

Timeline around 737737734735736738739740Battle between the forces of the Umayyad Caliphate and the Turkic Turgesh tribesBattle fought in 737 between Caliphate and Türgesh tribal confederationbattle-of-the-river-berre-737