Hugh Capet of France
Hugh Capet (French: Hugues Capet) (c. 939 – 14 October 996) was King of the Franks from 987 until his death in 996. The Capetian dynasty he started ruled France in an unbroken line for 300 years.
Early career[change | change source]
Hugh was born in the winter of 941 and was the son of Hugh the Great and Hedwige of Saxony.[1] His grandfather was King Robert I.[2] His grandmother was Beatrice of Vermandois. She was a Carolingian; a daughter of Herbert I of Vermandois.[1] By this connection he was the fifth great-grandson of Charlemagne through Pepin of Italy.[3]
While still a young man Hugh got the nickname "capet" from the cape he wore. These were tokens of the lay abbacies he held.[4]
Elected king of the Franks[change | change source]
When King Louis V died with no heir Adalbero of Reims made a plea for electing Hugh Capet. He proposed the throne was not a hereditary right but that the king should be the best man for the job. The assembly at Senlis agreed and elected Hugh King of the Franks.[5]
Capet is buried in the Saint Denis Basilica. His tomb effigy was destroyed during the French Revolution.
Family[change | change source]
He married Adelaide of Aquitaine. She was the daughter of William III of Aquitaine. Together they had:
- Hedwig, who married Reginar IV, Count of Hainaut.[6]
- Gisela, who married Hugh I, Count of Ponthieu.[6]
- Robert II 'the Pious', who succeeded Hugh as king.[6]
- Adelaide.[6]
References[change | change source]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Detlev Schwennicke, Europäische Stammtafeln: Stammtafeln zur Geschichte der Europäischen Staaten, Neue Folge, Band II (Marburg, Germany: J. A. Stargardt, 1984), Tafeln 10, 11
- ↑ Jim Bradbury, The Capetians: Kings of France, 987-1328, (London: Hambledon Continuum, 2007), p. 69
- ↑ Pierre Riché, The Carolingians; A Family Who Forged Europe, trans. Michael Idomir Allen (Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press, 1993), pp. 371, 375
- ↑ Pierre Riché, The Carolingians; A Family Who Forged Europe, trans. Michael Idomir Allen (Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press, 1993), p. 264
- ↑ Pierre Riché, The Carolingians; A Family Who Forged Europe, trans. Michael Idomir Allen (Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press, 1993), p. 278
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 Detlev Schwennicke, Europäische Stammtafeln: Stammtafeln zur Geschichte der Europäischen Staaten, Neue Folge, Band II (Marburg, Germany: J. A. Stargardt, 1984), Tafel 11
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