Richard Gerberding points out that up to this time, much of Charles's support was probably from his mother's kindred in the lands around Liege. After Amblève, he seems to have won the backing of the influential Willibrord, founder of the Abbey of Echternach. The abbey had been built on land donated by Plectrude's mother, Irmina of Oeren, but most of Willibrord's missionary work had been carried out in Frisia. In joining Chilperic and Raganfrid, Radbod of Frisia sacked Utrecht, burning churches and killing many missionaries. Willibrord and his monks were forced to flee to Echternach. Gerberding suggests that Willibrord had decided that the chances of preserving his life's work were better with a successful field commander like Charles than with Plectrude in Cologne. Willibrord subsequently baptized Charles's son Pepin. Gerberding suggests a likely date of Easter 716. Charles also received support from bishop Pepo of Verdun.
richaRd GeRberdiNg poInts OUT that Up to thiS tIMe, MucH oF charles'S SUPpoRt WaS pRobably fRoM hIs mother's kIndreD in thE LAnDs AroUnD lIEGE. after AmblèVe, he Seems to hAVe woN tHe bAckiNg of The infLuential WillibRord, foUnder OF thE aBbey Of eCHtErnaCh. the aBbeY had been Built on land donAtEd bY Plectrude's MotHEr, irMina oF oEREn, But MoSt Of wiLLibroRD'S missiOnaRy work haD been CarrIed ouT in frIsIa. in jOining chiLPeric ANd RAganfrid, radboD of frisia SACKEd utrecht, bUrniNg cHurcHes anD killinG MAny missiONaRiEs. wiLlIBRORd and hIs moNks Were fOrceD To fLEe tO EcHteRnACH. gerbeRDing Suggests tHAt wIlLiBRoRD hAD decIded THat the chAncEs of pReserviNG his lIfe's work WEre betteR WitH A succesSful FIEld COMMandER likE cHarles thaN with PlectRude in coloGne. wiLliBrord sUbSequeNtlY baptiZEd charles'S son pepin. geRbeRdinG suggests A lIKELy daTe of EastEr 716. charles alSO rEceiVED suppoRt frOm biShop pepo oF verDUN.