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- King of France 987-996
- Comte of Paris
- Comte d'Orleans
- Marquis de Neustria
- Founder of Capetian dynasty
Hugh Capet of France, Duke of France, King of France, was born circa 940 in Paris, France to Hugh the Great (898-956) and Hadwig von Sachsen (c917-959) and died 24 October 996 Paris, France of unspecified causes. He married Adelaide of Aquitaine (c945-1004) 969 JL .
Biography
Hugh Capet was the first French king of the Capetian dynasty, which ruled France from July 3, 987 to October 24, 996. He was born in 941, and he succeeded his father, Hugh the Great (898-956), as Duke of the Franks in 956. He ruled over a small area around Paris and Orleans, but he began to consolidate his power and expand his territory through a combination of military conquest and political maneuvering.
In 987, Hugh was elected king of France by the great lords and bishops of the realm, who were seeking a strong and stable monarch to rule over the fragmented kingdom. Hugh's election marked the beginning of the Capetian dynasty, which would eventually unify and centralize France into a powerful and influential European nation.
France under Hugh Capet
Hugh Capet possessed minor properties near Chartres and Angers. Between Paris and Orléans he possessed towns and estates amounting to approximately 400 sq.mi.. His authority ended there, and if he dared travel outside his small area, he risked being captured and held for ransom, though his life would be largely safe. Indeed, there was a plot in 993, masterminded by Adalberon, Bishop of Laon and Odo I of Blois, to deliver Hugh Capet into the custody of Otto III. The plot failed, but the fact that no one was punished illustrates how tenuous was his hold on power. Beyond his power base, in the rest of France, there were still as many codes of law as there were fiefdoms. The "country" operated with 150 different forms of currency and at least a dozen languages. Uniting all this into one cohesive unit was a formidable task and a constant struggle between those who wore the crown of France and its feudal lords. Therefore, Hugh Capet's reign was marked by numerous power struggles with the vassals on the borders of the Seine and the Loire.
As king, Hugh faced numerous challenges, including rebellious vassals, Viking invasions, and internal strife within his own family. However, he was able to maintain his power and authority through a combination of diplomacy, military force, and patronage of the church.
One of Hugh's most significant accomplishments was his establishment of the royal demesne, a network of estates and lands that were directly controlled by the king and used to support the royal household and finance the government. This helped to strengthen the central government and reduce the power of the great lords, who had previously held significant sway over the monarchy.
Hugh Capet died in 996, and he was succeeded by his son, Robert II of France (972-1031) (aka: "Robert the Pious"). His legacy as the founder of the Capetian dynasty was significant, as his descendants would go on to rule France for over three centuries and establish it as one of the most powerful and influential nations in Europe.
Ancestry
Hugh Capet was born in 941, the son of Hugh the Great (898-956), Duke of the Franks, and Hedwige of Saxony. Hugh the Great was a powerful Frankish nobleman who had extensive holdings throughout northern and central France. Hedwige was the daughter of Henry the Fowler, King of Germany, and Saint Matilda, a member of the royal family of Westphalia.
Hugh Capet's ancestry can be traced back to the Carolingian dynasty, which had ruled over Francia (the territory that later became France) and other parts of Europe from the 8th to the 10th centuries. Hugh's grandfather was Robert I, King of West Francia, who was a member of the Carolingian dynasty. Robert was succeeded by his son-in-law, Rudolph of Burgundy, who established the House of Burgundy as the ruling dynasty in West Francia. This makes him also a direct descent of Charlemagne (747-814), the first Holy Roman Emporer.
Hugh Capet's ancestry and family connections played a significant role in his rise to power, as he was able to leverage his familial ties to gain support from other powerful nobles and church leaders. However, he also faced opposition from rival factions within the nobility, as well as external threats from Viking raids and other foreign powers.
Family
Overall, Hugh Capet's family played a significant role in the consolidation and expansion of the Capetian dynasty, which would go on to rule France for centuries to come.
1st Marriage: Adelaide of Aquitaine
His first wife was Adelaide of Aquitaine (c945-1004), whom he married in 970. Wife Adelaide was the daughter of William III, Duke of Aquitaine and Adele of Normandy, daughter of Rollo of Normandy (860-932). Her marriage brought a significant dowry. Hugh and Adelaide had several children together:
- Gisele Capet (c968-c1000), who married Hugh I, Count of Ponthieu
- Hedwig Capet (c969-1013), who married Reginar IV, Count of Hainaut
- Robert II of France (972-1031), Hugh's eldest son, Robert II, succeeded him as king in 996 and ruled until 1031. Robert had several children, including
- Hugh Magnus, who became Duke of the Franks, and
- Henry I, who succeeded his father as king.
- Adela Capet (c973-c1068) -
- A number of other daughters are less reliably attested.[1]
Children
| Name | Birth | Death | Joined with |
| Gisele Capet (c968-c1000) | 968 France | 1000 France | Hugues de Ponthieu (c970-c1000) |
| Hedwig Capet (c969-1013) | 969 | 1013 | Regnier IV de Mons (?-1013) Hugh de Dagsbourg (c970-) |
| Robert II of France (972-1031) | 27 March 972 Orléans, Orléanais, Loiret, France | 20 July 1031 Meulan, Ile-de-France, France | Rosella of Italy (945-1003) Bertha de Bourgogne (967-1016) Constance of Arles (986-1034) |
| Adela Capet (c973-c1068) | |||
Siblings
| Name | Birth | Death | Joined with |
| Heribert of Auxerre (?-994) | 994 | ||
See Also
- Charlemagne Family Ancestry
- Capetian dynasty
- wikipedia:en:Hugh Capet
- Hugues de Paris, Roi des Francs at thePeerage
- Capetian Kings - Foundation for Medieval Genealogy
- Hugues Capet, roi des Francs - Geni.com
- Hugh Capet at Find A Grave
- Henry II of England's ancestor, number 108.
References
- ^ Thus Gauvard, p. 531.
Contemporary Sources
The best contemporary sources about Hugh Capet's life are primarily from the 10th and 11th centuries. Overall, these contemporary sources offer a valuable glimpse into the life and reign of Hugh Capet, and they provide important insights into the political, social, and cultural context of medieval France. These include:
- The Annals of Flodoard - This is a chronicle written by the French bishop Flodoard of Reims, covering the period from 919 to 966. It provides valuable information about Hugh's father, Hugh the Great, and his rise to power.
- The Chronicle of Richer of Reims - This chronicle covers the period from 888 to 998 and provides an account of Hugh Capet's reign. Richer was a contemporary of Hugh Capet and his account is considered to be one of the most reliable and detailed sources about the early Capetian dynasty.
- The Chronicles of Adhemar of Chabannes - Adhemar was a French monk who wrote several historical works, including a chronicle covering the period from 814 to 1030. His account of Hugh Capet's reign provides valuable information about the political and cultural context of the time.
- The Life of St. Gerbert of Aurillac - Gerbert was a French monk and scholar who became Pope Sylvester II in 999. His life was written by his contemporary, the French monk Adalbert of Rheims, and it provides insights into the intellectual and cultural climate of Hugh Capet's reign.
- The Letters of Gerbert of Aurillac - Gerbert was a prolific letter writer, and his correspondence provides a valuable source of information about the political, social, and cultural developments of the time.
Footnotes (including sources)
AMK152, Phlox, Rtol, Thurstan, MainTour, Ozesoldier, Cabrera-Hintze
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