Hugh Capet

Hugh Capet (born 938—died October 14, 996, Paris, France) was the king of France from 987 to 996, and the first of a direct line of 14 Capetian kings of that country. The Capetian dynasty derived its name from his nickname (Latin capa, “cape”). Hugh was the eldest son of Hugh the Great, duke of the Franks. On his father’s death in 956, Hugh Capet inherited vast estates in the regions of Paris and Orléans,...