General Notes

Note: King of France, Count of Paris, Poitou, & Orleans; He
reditary Abbot of St. Martin & St. Denis;
founder of the Capetian dynasty, His lordship over many fie
fs around
Paris and Orléans made him the virtual ruler of France, an
d when King
Louis V of France, the last of the Carolingian line, died w
ithout an heir
in 987, Hugh's numerous vassals enabled him to win the elec
tion to the
throne, defeating the Carolingian candidate, Charles, duk
e of Lorraine.
Charles, Duke of Lorraine, and many other great nobles of t
he realm
attempted to resist his authority but, through force of arm
s and by
judicious purchasing of allegiance, as well as through th
e support of the
church, of which he was a devout member, Hugh establishe
d a measure of
order within his kingdom.
-----------------
Note: aka Hugues
DESCENDANT OF CHARLEMAGNE
KING OF FRANCE, 987-996
FOUNDER OF THE CAPETIAN DYNASTY
LAY ABBOT OF THE ABBEYS OF ST. MARTIN OF TOURS AND ST. DENIS
With ambitions to become a lay abbot, Hugh inherited his fa
ther’s vast estates, making him the most powerful noble o
f his day. He was elected king in 987 after the death of th
e weak Carolingian monarch Lothair. Thus began the Capetia
n dynasty. His kingdom was certainly not unified. France wa
s divided into many different fiefdoms with at least a doze
n languages. Trying to unite the whole was a formidable tas
k and Hugh’s military power was limited. He had to seek mil
itary aid from the Duke of Normandy. Hugh's surname “Capet
” may derive from his abbot's cape.
THE CAPETIAN DYNASTY
The Capetians were the descendants of Hugh Capet and follow
ed the Carolingian monarchs. They ruled France from 987-123
8, at which time the direct male heirs ran out. France adhe
red to Salic Law, the ancient code of the Salian Franks, wh
ich prevented females from succeeding to the throne. Phili
p VI, nephew of Philip the Fair, was elected in 1328, thu
s beginning the Valois branch of the Capets.