Charles Martel is my direct bloodline great granfather!

[Dunai]

After some very thorough research over my family's ancestry, I managed to find Charles Martel as my direct blood relative on two separate branches of my family tree (it could be even more, my research is still not fully finished). This to me is absolutely mindblowing, as he was always one of my favorite military leaders in history and one of the truest heroes and protectors of European civilization. He is on my mother's side, and I am extremely lucky, because she is quarter Donauschwaben, and managed to trace this part of my lineage back to 18th century West Germany/East France, and here I was also even more lucky, because some of the branches from this area have continuity to some Late Medieval German aristocrats, and this way with the help of sites like Geni, MyHeritage and Geneanet, after careful double-checking and countless hours, I managed to even trace these German lineages way back in time, to Charles Martel, and even before him. What also blew my mind is that I happen to have direct blood connection with almost all the great royal and even imperial dynasties of Europe: Caroling emperor, French, English, Kievan Rus', Italian, German kings, Viking jarls. Unfortunately I am still not very fortunate with my largely Hungarian origin, as I met already many dead ends on these branches and the further back I got is late 18th century. But I still have several leads on my family tree, and thus my very meticulous and time-demanding work will continue on it.

[Teutone]

If that is true, its pretty pretty pretty pretty awesome.

[Dunai]

If that is true, its pretty pretty pretty pretty awesome.

It is definitely true, since my first reaction was also of mostly disbelief, and then I thoroughly double-triple checked on various genealogy sites if those links that directed me to him at first were actually real, and backed up by historical documents and reports, and to my amazement they all matched. It could sound as naive sentimentality, but honestly after I fully realized what most amazing contribution my very own ancestors had to European history made me to even change how I look at my own life. It completely empowers me, this knowledge almost gives me a transcendental feeling, even if I always like to stay as rooted in reality and pragmatism as possible. It is absolutely unbelievable that a regular Hungarian guy like me, with no notable recent ancestors, could call all these legendary emperors, kings, knights, even saints as my very own distant great grandfather and great grandmother.

[Teutone]

Now become a a catholic and lead us to crusade.

[Centurion]

Congratulations. One of most heroic person of the Western Civilisation.

[Dunai]

Now become a a catholic and lead us to crusade.

Funny thing is I was born in a Catholic family, and absolutely all my recent ancestors, post 18th century were solely Catholic, which kinda contradicts some people's generalization that all ethnicities always mixed with each other, while the truth is more likely all religions mixed wit each other, but only within their own religion. People back in time didn't really think in ethnic terms, but religion was the most important identity factor. There are many Reformed Christian Hungarians, but my Catholic Hungarian ancestors didn't even "touch" them, but rather preferred Catholic Germans and even Slovaks. Of course as an Atheist I feel no more bond to the Church, but I acknowledge its important cultural and political role it had in creating a European civilization. I however am very critical of the regressive theological and religious role of the Church in our modern society. But I shall rather not focus on my thoughts over the Church on this thread. That is for a separate discussion.

[hanza]

Now become a a catholic and lead us to crusade.

But before the crusade, he should prove that he is a true Martel by lifting the Hammer of Retribution :

[Armenian Bishop]

So how did Martel's descendants end up in Hungary?

[Longbowman]

Most Europeans will be, I'm afraid

[Dunai]

Most Europeans will be, I'm afraid

However how many of these "most" can even trace directly, with names, dates, locations, through a family tree? Trust me, it is a whole other feeling and conscious realization to know possibly I am then I know I am a descendant of this and that royalty. Can you also trace yourself back to him, as a curiosity?