Battle of Tet
Summary
In the spring of 739, Charles Martel won his last major victory against a Muslim and Berber coalition in the Têt valley, near Perpignan. The Franks intercept and crush enemy forces attempting to defend or resupply Narbonne. This victory consolidates the isolation of the Muslim stronghold and puts an end to lasting Muslim incursions into Septimania.
Historical context
After the failure of the siege of Narbonne in 737, Charles Martel continued the reconquest of southern Gaul. Taking advantage of the disunity among the Muslim leaders, he engaged his troops against a coalition army coming to rescue or reinforce Narbonne. The choice of terrain, in the deep valley of the Têt, allowed the Franks to trap the enemy and put an end to any organized resistance outside Narbonne.
Tactics
Charles Martel uses a flanking maneuver and a surprise attack in a deep valley, blocking the retreat of enemy forces. The superior organization, the discipline of the Frankish troops and the mastery of the terrain made it possible to annihilate or disperse the opposing army, essentially composed of irregular units or local contingents.
Consequences
The victory over Tet confirmed Frankish authority in Septimania, cut Narbonne off from the rest of Muslim Spain and put an end to the great Muslim expeditions in Gaul. After 739, only limited operations remained until the definitive capture of Narbonne in 759 by Pepin the Short. This battle also marks Charles Martel's last major military campaign.