Hugh Capet , King

King Hugh of France from 987 to 996. Succeeding his father as Count of Paris in 956, Hugh Capet thereby became the real ruler of the country, though the title of king still belonged to the Carolingians. When Louis V, last of the Carolingian kings of France, died without heirs in 987, Chalres, Duke of Lorraine, claimed the throne by descent. At a meeting of the nobles and prelates of the realm, however, the crown was declared to be elective, and Hugh Capet was chosen king. He became at once the first French king of France and the founder of the famous Capetian dynasty, which gave to Europe 118 sovereigns.