In 987 the Capetian dynasty began.
But we often ignore that this year saw the coronation of two kings: Hugues Capet, of course, but also that of his son, Robert the Pious.
Everyone knows Hugues Capet, whom a sympathetic legend from the end of the Middle Ages - we already find him in Dante's
The Divine Comedy
- would like to say descends from a butcher's family.
This is not the case, obviously.
Hugues Capet descended from a high Frankish lineage.
But he was not a direct heir of the Carolingians.
However, when Charlemagne's last heir, King Louis V, died hunting in May 987, Archbishop Adalbéron of Reims pleaded for Hugues, the Duke of the Franks, and not for Charles of Lower Lorraine: "Wish
,
said the prelate,
the happiness of the Republic rather than its misfortune!
If you want her to be unhappy, promote Charles, if you want her to be happy, promote the eminent Duke Hugues.”
It is thus, thanks to the anointing of the Church, that the great felt authorized to choose a prince...
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