Four sons inherited his kingdom, but there was no peace among them or any of their descendants during the next two centuries. Treachery, assassination, and poison were the agencies employed by the male members of the princely house to gain their end. Petty jealousy, envy, and revenge drove their wives to crimes of the worst description. Simplicity of customs disappeared from court life. Roman civilization accomplished its fatal work. The once princely Merovingian race was degenerated by physical and spiritual weakness. [Illustration: _CHARLEMAGNE_] [Illustration: _CHARLES MARTEL_] [Illustration: _PEPIN THE SHORT_] [Illustration: _CLOVIS_] The result of all this was a change in governmental relations. Before the close of the sixth century the weak Merovingians relinquished the responsibilities of rule to the mayor of the palace.[13] Among those who filled the position, Pepin of Landen, the founder of the Pepin family afterwards known as Carolingians or Carlovingians, was conspicuous. That the Frankish kingdom, which included also Burgundy and Thuringia, escaped dissolution was entirely due to this powerful Pepin family. Subsequently Pepin of Heristal, a member of the same family, rose to the honor of leadership. After many distinguished achievements, his son Charles, who was called Charles Martel, or “the Hammer,” because of his victory over the Moors in 732, succeeded him. The Frankish kingdom, as well as the German Christian world, was saved by him from a great disaster at the hands of the Moors, who twenty-one years later (711) overthrew the power of the West Goths in Spain and established themselves there. Another Pepin, called “the Short,” by reason of his low stature, succeeded Charles Martel. The enemies of the country—the Saxons particularly—felt the weight of his power. An enmity of long standing existed between the Saxons and the Franks, and they had often met in fierce encounters. It is hard to say which side was to blame, but it is certain that the Saxons, especially after the Franks had been Christianized, often invaded the country of the latter, and that the war which Pepin waged against them was to that extent a just one. He at last subdued them and forced them to pay tribute. It was in Pepin’s time also that the form of government was restored to the old royal system; and while he accomplished this he also insisted that the influence of the clergy should not be impaired. First of all he sought to secure the favor of the bishops of the country, and succeeded so well that two of them agreed to settle matters with the Pope. Everything seemed to favor his plans. The Pope was hard pressed by the brave Lombardian King Haistulf and in sore need of help. After consultation with the bishops Pepin compelled Haistulf to give up his possessions to the Pope, and the Pope recognized the Franks as defenders of the Church.[14]