20 Most Evil People of the 10th Century CE

Key Facts

Other names
Born	940
Location	Orléans, France
Bloodline	Capet
Married	Yes
Children	Robert II
Position	King of Franks (987-996)
Died	996

Source of Facts and Important Announcement

Status	Under Article 64.6 of the Covenant of One-Heaven (Pactum De Singularis Caelum) by Special Qualification shall be known as a Saint, with all sins and evil acts they performed forgiven.
Date of formal Beatification	Day of Redemption UCA[E1:Y1:A1:S1:M9:D1] also known as Fri, 21 Dec 2012.
Source of Facts	Self Confession and Revelation of Sainthood by the Deceased Spirit as condition of their confirmation as a true Saint.

Background

Born to Hugh the Great, Count of Paris and Duke of West Francia (France) of the infamous and mythical "Robertians". The family rose to great power after the death in battle of Carolingian King Charles (893-922) and the appointment of Robert as regent to Louis IV (aged 2 at the time of death of his father).

Within weeks of assuming the role of regent, Robert renamed his title into the office of Dux Francorum (Duke of West Francia) and went to the extent of having himself "crowned" at Rheims in June 922. Rudolph, the duke of Burgundy took offence to this grab for power by Robert and by 923 Robert was captured and executed, with Rudolph proclaiming himself the new Dux Francorum with the child real king Louis, escaping to the safety of England.

To maintain his grip on power, Rudolph pledged loyalty to the King of East Francia, Henry the Fowler -- an act of complete treachery against his own people. However, at the death of his German patron in 936, Hugh the Great launched a surprise attack against Rudolph and successfully had him killed. Hugh the Great then called for the return of King Louis (now 16) from England to France.

Upon the return of the King, in honor of the action by Hugh the Great, King Louis granted the family the hereditary title of Dux Francorum, effectively sealing the Robertians as the most powerful noble family in all of West Francia. However, in 956, Hugh the Great died and Hugh (the younger) took possession of his father's title and estates at the age of just 16.

It is claimed his uncle Bruno acted as regent until Hugh came of age, however this seems unlikely as he was already considered an adult by Middle Ages standards. What is clear is that as a young ruler, the neighbouring fiefs immediately took it upon themselves to annex sections of his lands including Theobald I of Blois with Chartres and Châteaudun and Fulk II of Anjou with the region of the Bretons.

The militia of the Capets remained a formidable and feared force and young Hugh spent the next 21 years fighting endless battles, ambushes, and campaigns to establish his absolute authority over his domain, in the process forming strong alliances with the Saxon (German) Emperor Otto I and later Otto II as well as Patriarch (Pope) Sylvester II (974-1012), Archbishop of Reims, Catholic Primate and chancellor to Carolongian Kings Lothair and Louis V.

By the 980's Hugh Capet was the most powerful militia leader in all of Western Francia (France), and firm ally of the Saxons (Germans) including their child King Otto III (who was crowned King at the age of 13 on the death of his father in 983). Yet he remained despised by the noble houses aligned to the Carolingians of being nothing more than the son of a warlord, who seize power and title through treachery.

In 986 a crisis occured between King Lothair and Pope Sylvester II. Lothair finally summonsed the courage to have Pope Sylvester II arrested, stripped of his title and positions ahead of facing the charge of treason. In response, Pope Sylvester II has his king murdered, leaving his 19 year old son Louis V as new King.

Hugh seized this moment to act. He convinced Louis V to release Pope Sylvester II and have him restored to his powers, while Hugh pledged his "loyalty" to the young king. No sooner had Pope Sylvester II been restored to his palace and title than he arranged for the murder of Louis V by May 987.

To aid Hugh in his claim for legitimacy, Pope Sylvester II used all his powers of persuasion and threat to ensure the nobles agreed and in an extraordinary move --designed to legitimize the claim of Hugh to the throne--an assembly of nobles was called at Senlis to "elect" their new king. Hugh was crowned the 1st Capet King of West Francia in 987 at aged 47.

There was little joy for Hugh in his new found kingship as the legitimate Carolingian brother of King Lothair, Charles, Duke of Lorraine (953-993) had succeeded in capturing the ancient capital of Charlemagne at Aachen and moved immediately on the forces of the Capet pretender king.

During this period, Pope Sylvester II remained the most powerful and influential figure, with King Hugh effectively isolated to Paris while rolling battles continued with the forces of Charles, Duke of Lorraine and the Capet militia.

By 993, Pope Sylvester II hatched a plan and convinced Charles, Duke of Lorraine to attend a meeting, presumably concerning the promised removal of Hugh and the reinstatement of the legitimate Carolingians. However, Pope Sylvester II tricked Charles and his son and had them imprisoned by the forces of Hugh at Orléans. The legitimate heirs died in prison within the year.

For the 1st time, Hugh Capet was undisputed king at aged 53.

Contrary to the creative history of his descendents, it is almost certain that his son Robert was not crowned co-ruler until 993. This happened to be fortunate as three years later in 996 Hugh Capet died. He was succeeded by his son Robert.


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