on of Hugh the Great (Duke of Normandy), Hugh Capet was crowned king of France on 3 July 987. His election to the position was initiated by the death of King Lothair in March 987. Lothair's son Louis became King, but died in a riding accident shortly afterwards. Hugh Capet was the most powerful lord at the time and had advised the young king. Another contender to the throne was Lothair's brother, Charles of Lorraine, but no-one supported his claim to the throne.Hugh had originally wanted to become a lay abbot, and in March 980 moved the relics of St. Valery to Amiens Cathedral. He also had a dream that he would become king and that his descendants would rule for seven generations which they did.
Once on the throne Capet strengthened his position by declaring his son Robert 'king designate', and choosing the daughter of the King of Italy as his bride. Capet had problems with Charles of Lorraine during the early part of his reign who contested his defeat. This was until 992 when Charles died in prison, possibly poisoned. Hugh died in August 996 from smallpox and was buried in the basilica of St. Denis.
