Hugh Capet
| Hugh Capet | |
|---|---|
Hugh Capet in the 13th century Chronica sancti Pantaleonis | |
| King of the Franks | |
| Reign | 1 June 987 – 24 October 996 |
| Coronation | 1 June 987, Noyon 3 July 987, Paris |
| Predecessor | Louis V |
| Successor | Robert II |
| Born | c. 941 Paris, West Francia |
| Died | 24 October 996 (aged 55) Paris, France |
| Burial | Saint Denis Basilica, Saint-Denis, France |
| Spouse | Adelaide of Aquitaine (m. 969) |
| Issue | Hedwig, Countess of Mons Gisèle, Countess of Ponthieu Robert II, King of the Franks |
| House | Robertian dynasty Capet (founder) |
| Father | Hugh the Great |
| Mother | Hedwige Liudolfing |
| Signature | |
Hugh Capet (/ˈkæpeɪ/; French: Hugues Capet [yɡ kapɛ]; c. 941 – 24 October 996) was the King of the Franks from 987 to 996. He is the founder of and first king from the House of Capet. The son of the powerful duke Hugh the Great and his wife Hedwige of Saxony, he was elected as the successor of the last Carolingian king, Louis V. Hugh was descended from Charlemagne's son Pepin of Italy through his paternal grandmother Béatrice of Vermandois, and was also a nephew of Otto the Great.
The dynasty he founded ruled France for nearly nine centuries: from 987 to 1328 in the senior line, and until 1848 via cadet branches (with an interruption from 1792 to 1814 and briefly in 1815).