Hugh Capet becomes King of France
987 CE
Election of 987: start of the Capetian dynasty and the kings of France list.
Historical Context
In 987 the Western Frankish Carolingian line ended with Louis V. The realm’s magnates had to choose a new king.
The Event
Hugh Capet, Duke of the Franks, was elected and consecrated. He founded the Capetian dynasty that held the throne—directly or via branches—until 1848.
Key Figures
Hugh Capet, Adalbero of Reims, Charles of Lorraine (Carolingian claimant).
Aftermath
Dynastic shift: the title ‘king of the Franks’ evolved toward the gradual construction of the Kingdom of France.
Legacy & Culture
Starting point of the classic list of 36 kings of France. Exceptional Capetian continuity in Europe.
Historiography
The 987 election was as much aristocratic power play as ‘national destiny’; monastic chroniclers legitimized it after the fact.
Sources and References
Richer de Reims, Histoires
Actes et chroniques du sacre de 987
Semantic cluster
France & Gaul clusterFrom independent Gaul to kings and emperors: Alesia, Clovis, Capetians, Revolution, Empire.
Cluster internal links
- Related
Coronation of Charlemagne
800
- Related
Reign of Saint Louis
1270
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Louis XIV, the Sun King
1643
- Previous (cluster)
Coronation of Charlemagne
800
- Next (cluster)
Reign of Saint Louis
1270
- Same cluster
Baptism of Clovis
496
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Storming of the Bastille
1789
- Same cluster
Coronation of Napoleon I
1804
- Same cluster
Battle of Alesia
52 BCE
- Semantic bridge
First Official Paper Money (Jiaozi)
1024
- Semantic bridge
The Hegira
622
- Semantic bridge
Invention of the Printing Press
1454