Biography
Biography
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Capet, Hugh (King of France 987-996)

 Borncirca 939   Born At
 DiedAugust 996  Buried At
 Borncirca 939 / 
 DiedAugust 996 / 
on of Hugh the Great (Duke of Normandy), Hugh Capet was crowned king of France on 3 July 987. His election to the position was initiated by the death of King Lothair in March 987. Lothair's son Louis became King, but died in a riding accident shortly afterwards. Hugh Capet was the most powerful lord at the time and had advised the young king. Another contender to the throne was Lothair's brother, Charles of Lorraine, but no-one supported his claim to the throne.

Hugh had originally wanted to become a lay abbot, and in March 980 moved the relics of St. Valery to Amiens Cathedral. He also had a dream that he would become king and that his descendants would rule for seven generations which they did.

Once on the throne Capet strengthened his position by declaring his son Robert 'king designate', and choosing the daughter of the King of Italy as his bride. Capet had problems with Charles of Lorraine during the early part of his reign who contested his defeat. This was until 992 when Charles died in prison, possibly poisoned. Hugh died in August 996 from smallpox and was buried in the basilica of St. Denis.


 

Family Tree Details

 Capet, Hugh (King of France 987-996) (b.939? - d.996)
    +Adelaide (of Poitou, Princess of Aquitaine)
        = Robert (The Pious, King of France 996-1031) (b.970? - d.1031)
            +Susanna (Princess of Italy)
            +Bertha (of Burgundy)
            +Constance (of Toulouse / Arles)
                = Hugh (son of Robert II)
                = Henry (I, King of France 1031-1060) (b.1008 - d.1060)
                |   +Anne (of Kiev)
                |       = Philippe (I, King of France 1060-1108) (b.1052 - d.1108)
                |       = Magnus, Hugh (count of Vermandois)
                = Robert (Duke of Burgundy)
 Capet, Hugh (King of France 987-996) (b.939? - d.996)
    +Adelaide (of Poitou, Princess of Aquitaine)
        = Robert (The Pious, King of France 996-1031) (b.970? - d.1031)
            +Susanna (Princess of Italy)
            +Bertha (of Burgundy)
            +Constance (of Toulouse / Arles)
                = Hugh (son of Robert II)
                = Henry (I, King of France 1031-1060) (b.1008 - d.1060)
                |   +Anne (of Kiev)
                |       = Philippe (I, King of France 1060-1108) (b.1052 - d.1108)
                |       = Magnus, Hugh (count of Vermandois)
                = Robert (Duke of Burgundy)

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    978(Age: 39yrs)

    Otto II, the Holy Roman Emporer, laid siege to Paris. Lothair, the King of West Francia, had taken refuge in the city after Otto had invaded his lands in retaliation for Lothair's invasion into Lorraine. The siege was lifted when Otto's men became sick and a relief army led by Hugh Capet arrived to free the city.

    987(Age: 48yrs)

    Hugh Capet, elected by his peers became King of France, and was crowned at Noyon. [1]

    996(Age: 57yrs)

    Hugh Capet, King of France died of smallpox. [1]

    On this day in history:

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    Selection of references used:

    • 1: Duc de Castries, The lives of the Kings and Queens of France, ISBN:0-297-77676-2, Erdington Library

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