- AKA: Hugh I “le Grand” of France
- Duke of the Franks
- Count of Paris, Troyes, and Auxerre
- Abbot of abbey of Saint-Denis
Biography
Hugh the Great, Duke of France, Count of Paris, was born 898 in Paris, Ile-de-France, France to Robert I of France (866-923) and Béatrice of Vermandois (c880-931) and died 16 June 956 Dourdan, Ile-de-France, France of unspecified causes. He married Judith de Maine (bef900-925) 922 JL . He married Eadhilda of Wessex (-937) 926 JL . He married Hadwig von Sachsen (c917-959) 937 JL .
Hugh the Great was a powerful nobleman and military leader in the Kingdom of France during the 10th century.
- He was the son of Robert I, Duke of France,
- His mother, Béatrice of Vermandois (c880-931), was a direct descent of Charlemagne (747-814), connecting him to the Carolingian dynasty.
- He was the father of Hugh Capet, who became the first king of the Capetian dynasty.
- And he was also known as Hugh the Abbot, as he was briefly the abbot of the influential abbey of Saint-Denis. However, he soon gave up this position to focus on his military and political ambitions.
Hugh the Great's most significant political achievement was his role in electing his son, Hugh Capet, as the king of France in 987. This marked the beginning of the Capetian dynasty, which would rule France for centuries to come.
Life Events
Throughout his life, Hugh the Great played a significant role in the politics of the Kingdom of France. He served as the duke of Burgundy and was also the count of Paris, Troyes, and Auxerre. He was a close ally of the Carolingian dynasty, and his military prowess was crucial in maintaining their power in the face of Viking invasions and other threats.
He was born in Paris, Île-de-France, France.[1][2] His family is known as the Robertians.[3]
Revolt in Paris
In 922 the barons of Western Francia, after revolting against the Carolingian King Charles the Simple (who fled his kingdom under their onslaught), elected Robert I, Hugh's father, as king of Western Francia.[4] At the death of Robert I, in battle at Soissons in 923, Hugh refused the crown and it went to his brother-in-law Rudolph.[4] Charles sought help in regaining his crown from Hugh's cousin Count Herbert II of Vermandois, who instead of helping the king imprisoned him.[4] Herbert then used his prisoner as an advantage in pressing his own ambitions, using the threat of releasing the king up until Charles' death in 929.[5] From then on Herbert II of Vermandois struggled with King Rudolph and Duke Hugh.[4] Finally Rudolph and Herbert II came to an agreement in 935.[4]
He played an active role in bringing King Louis d'Outremer back from England in 936. Seeking an alliance with the Holy Roman Emperor, Otto the Great, he married Otto's younger sister, Hedwig of Saxony in 937. They were the parents of Hugh Capet. Hedwig's sister, Gerberga of Saxony, was the wife of Louis IV of France. Although he often fought with Louis, he supported the accession of Louis and Gerberga's son, Lothair of France.
Hugh the Great died in 956, leaving behind a powerful legacy as a skilled military leader and influential political figure in medieval France.
Family Life
Hugh married first, in 922, Judith, daughter of Roger, Count of Maine, and his wife Rothilde (871-929), a daughter of Emperor Charles the Bald.[1] She died childless in 925.[1]
Hugh's second wife was Eadhild, daughter of Edward the Elder, king of the Anglo-Saxons, and half-sister of King Æthelstan.[1] They married in 926 and she died in 938, childless.[1]
3rd Marriage: Hadwig von Sachsen
Hugh's third wife was Hadwig von Sachsen (c917-959), daughter of Henry the Fowler and Matilda. She and Hugh had:
- Beatrice de France (c938-aft987) married Frederick I, Duke of Upper Lorraine.[1]
- Hugh Capet (c940-996) - King of France (Capetian dynasty)[6]
- Emma de France (?-968) (c. 943 – aft. 968).[6]
- Otton de Bourgogne (c945-965), Duke of Burgundy, died a minor in 956.
- Henri I de Bourgogne (c948-1002), Duke of Burgundy
Other Relationships
- Heribert of Auxerre (?-994) - the illegitimate son of Hugh the Grand Duke of Burgundy and his concubine Raingarde (c910-c965). Through his father he is therefore the half-brother of King Hugues Capet and the Duke of Burgundy Eudes-Henri[7][8]
Children
| Name | Birth | Death | Joined with |
| Beatrice de France (c938-aft987) | 938 | 978 | Frederick of Bar (?-978) |
| Hugh Capet, King of France (c940-996) | 940 Paris, France | 24 October 996 Paris, France | Adelaide of Aquitaine (c945-1004) |
| Emma de France (?-968) | 943 | 19 March 968 | Richard I, Duke of Normandy (933-996) |
| Otton de Bourgogne (c945-965) | 945 | 22 February 965 | Liegearde de Chalon (-aft958) |
| Henri I de Bourgogne (c948-1002) | 948 | 15 October 1002 | Gerberga de Macon (?-c988) Garsende de Gascogne (c977-) Mahaut de Chalon (?-1019) |
| Name | Birth | Death | Joined with |
| Heribert of Auxerre (?-994) | 994 | ||
Siblings
| Name | Birth | Death | Joined with |
| Emma of France (894-934) | 894 | 2 November 934 Paris, France | Rudolph de Bourgogne (?-936) |
| Hildebranda of France (895-931) | 895 | 931 | Herbert II de Vermandois (884-943) |
| Name | Birth | Death | Joined with |
| Hugh the Great (898-956) | 898 Paris, Ile-de-France, France | 16 June 956 Dourdan, Ile-de-France, France | Judith de Maine (bef900-925) Eadhilda of Wessex (-937) Hadwig von Sachsen (c917-959) Raingarde (c910-c965) |
| Richilda of France (895-931) | |||
See Also
- Charlemagne Family Ancestry
- Capetian dynasty
- wikipedia:en:Hugh the Great
- Hugues of Neustria, Comte de Paris at thePeerage
- Capetian Kings - Foundation for Medieval Genealogy
- Hugh "Magnus" of Paris - Geni.com
- Hugh I “le Grand” of France at Find A Grave
- Henry II of England's ancestor, number 216.
References
- ^ a b c d e f Detlev Schwennicke, Europäische Stammtafeln: Stammtafeln zur Geschichte der Europäischen Staaten, Neue Folge, Band II (Verlag von J. A. Stargardt, Marburg, Germany, 1984), Tafeln 10-11
- ^ Jim Bradbury, The Capetians: Kings of France, 987-1328 (Hambledon Continuum, London & New York, 2007), p. 69
- ^ Lucien Bély, The History of France ( J.P. Gisserot, Paris, 2001), p. 21
- ^ a b c d e Pierre Riché, The Carolingians; A Family who Forged Europe, Trans. Michael Idomir Allen (University of Pennsylvania Press, Philadelphia, 1993), p.250
- ^ Pierre Riché, The Carolingians; A Family who Forged Europe, Trans. Michael Idomir Allen (University of Pennsylvania Press, Philadelphia, 1993), pp.250-1
- ^ a b Detlev Schwennicke, Europäische Stammtafeln: Stammtafeln zur Geschichte der Europäischen Staaten, Neue Folge, Band II (Verlag von J. A. Stargardt, Marburg, Germany, 1984), Tafel 11
- ^ Heribert of Auxerre - French Wikipedia
- ^ Raingarde de Dijon in "Lords of Villemomble and Villebéon (Villebon)" [ archive ] , p. 2, on rootshistory.net .
Contemporary Sources
These contemporary sources provide valuable insights into Hugh the Great's life and his impact on the politics and military affairs of medieval France:
- The Annals of Flodoard: Flodoard was a French chronicler who lived during the time of Hugh the Great. His annals provide a detailed account of the political events of the 10th century, including Hugh the Great's role in the Carolingian dynasty and his military campaigns.
- The Chronicle of Richer of Reims: Richer of Reims was a Benedictine monk who lived in the late 10th and early 11th centuries. His chronicle provides an account of the reign of Hugh the Great's son, Hugh Capet, and includes details about Hugh the Great's life and political career.
- The Chronicle of Adhemar of Chabannes: Adhemar of Chabannes was a French monk who lived in the 11th century. His chronicle provides a detailed account of the political events of the 10th century, including Hugh the Great's role in the election of Hugh Capet as king of France.
- The Deeds of Conrad I: The Deeds of Conrad I is a contemporary account of the life of Conrad I, King of Germany, who was a contemporary of Hugh the Great. The account includes details about Hugh the Great's role in the politics of the time and his military campaigns.
Footnotes (including sources)
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AMK152, Phlox, Rtol, Thurstan, Robin Patterson, MainTour
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