|
Dromo's Den
|
|
[Up] [Dromo's Den] Hugh Capet Biography HUGH CAPET, Fr. HUGUES CAPET, (c.939-996). King of France from 987 to 996. He was a son of Hugh the Great, Count of Paris; and Hedwig, a sister of Otho the Great of Germany. Hugh Capet succeeded his father as Count of Paris in 956 and became thereby the real ruler of the country, though the title of King still belonged to the Carolingians. When, in 987, Louis V, the last Carolingian King of France, died without heirs, Charles, Duke of Lorraine, claimed the throne by descent, but at a meeting of the nobles and prelates of the realm at Senlis it was declared that the crown was elective, and thereupon Hugh was chosen, and became the founder of the Capetian dynasty (q.v.). Charles of Lorraine was easily defeated in the contest which ensued. In 988 he had his son Robert elected and crowned as his successor. The New International Encyclopaedia, Vol. XI (New York: Dodd, Mead & Co., 1920) 565. |