Hugh Capet
Hugh Capet(940?–996 A.D.), king of France, 987–996. He was the founder of the Capetian dynasty, which ruled France, 987–1328. Hugh Capet succeeded his father, Hugh the Great, as duke of France and count of Paris in 956. When Louis V, last of the Carolingian kings of France, died without heirs in 987, Charles of Lorraine claimed the throne as a Carolingian. The nobles and prelates preferred Hugh, who was also of royal ancestry, though not a descendant of Charlemagne. Because the great nobles were virtually independent under the feudal system, Hugh was hardly more powerful as king than he had been as duke.