This was a decisive battle fought between a Frankish army led by Charles Martel, supported by Odo of Aquitaine and an Amayyad army led by Emir Abd Ar-Rahman Al Ghafiqi.
Islamic Umayyad forces had conquered much of modern day Spain in the early years of the 700s. Having firmly established themselves they moved north intent on conquering France. In 721 Odo of Aquitaine had stopped their advance after securing victory at the Battle of Toulouse. Ten years later and the Umayyad army successfully defeated Odo at the Battle of the River Garonne. Odo appealed to Charles Martel leader of the Franks for help. Martel agreed providing that after the battle Odo would submit to the Franks.
Martel took up a defensive position on the top of a hill which would force the Umayyad army to fight uphill. Emir Abdul Rahman Al Ghafiqi took a week to consider his options during which time Martel was able to recruit more men to fight. Eventually the Emir decided to attack. The Franks withstood repeated attacks but eventually the Umayyads broke through. Martel’s personal bodyguard surrounded him, protecting him from being killed. Meanwhile, Frankish soldiers that Moors had believed were fleeing the battle were actually releasing those that had been taken prisoner earlier in the battle. News reached the Umayyad army that their camp had been infiltrated and they fled the field seeking to protect their possessions in camp. Emir Abdul Rahman Al Ghafiqi tried to stop his army from retreating but in the process he was surrounded by Franks and killed.
The Umayyads returned to France and there were no further attempts to conquer France.
