Prince Hugues Duke of NEUSTRIEN

                   Hugues Capet, king of France, and founder of the Capetian dynasty, son ofHugh the Great, count of Paris, whom he succeeded in 956. His lordshipover many fiefs around Paris and Orléans made him the virtual ruler ofFrance, and when King
Louis V of France, the last of the Carolingian line, died without an heirin 987, Hugh's numerous vassals enabled him to win the election to thethrone, defeating the Carolingian candidate, Charles, duke of Lothringen.Charles and many other
great nobles of the realm attempted to resist his authority but, throughforce of arms and by judicious purchasing of allegiance, as well asthrough the support of the church, of which he was a devout member, Hughestablished a measure of order within his kingdom. He had his son, Robertthe Pious (later Robert II), elected and crowned his associate andsuccessor in 988, thereby confirming the house of Capet, which ruledFrance until 1328.