Hugh Capet (c. 941 – 24 October 996) was the King of the Franks from 987 to 996 and the founder of the Capetian dynasty. He was born to Hugh the Great, Duke of the Franks, and Hedwige of Saxony. Hugh was elected as the successor to the last Carolingian king, Louis V. His lineage included connections to Charlemagne through his paternal grandmother, Béatrice of Vermandois, and he was also related to Otto the Great through his mother.Hugh's rise to power began in a period when the Carolingian dynasty was in decline. The Robertians, his family, became significant figures in West Francia as the monarchy shifted towards an elective system. Hugh the Great, Hugh's father, maneuvered politically to support Louis IV, which allowed him to gain considerable influence. After Louis IV's reign, Hugh Capet inherited his father's estates, becoming a powerful noble in a fragmented kingdom.During his youth, Hugh faced challenges from rival nobles who sought to expand their territories at his expense. The political landscape was complicated by the influence of the Ottonian dynasty in Germany, which sought to control West Francia through familial ties. Hugh's position strengthened when he was granted the title of Duke of the Franks and he began to assert his authority over the nobility.Hugh's political maneuvering culminated in his election as king in 987 after the death of Louis V. The archbishop of Reims played a crucial role in promoting Hugh's candidacy over that of Charles of Lorraine, a Carolingian claimant. Hugh was crowned rex Francorum in Noyon and Paris, marking the beginning of the Capetian dynasty, which would rule France for centuries.Hugh's reign was marked by power struggles with the nobility and challenges from rival factions. He faced opposition from Charles of Lorraine, who contested his claim to the throne. Hugh's political acumen allowed him to navigate these challenges, including the betrayal of allies and the shifting loyalties of the nobility. He successfully captured Charles and imprisoned him, consolidating his power.Hugh's relationship with the papacy was complex, as he sought to assert his authority over the church in France. After a series of conflicts regarding the archbishopric of Reims, Hugh managed to install Gerbert of Aurillac as archbishop, furthering his influence. Despite his efforts, Hugh's reign was characterized by a lack of centralized power, with various regions maintaining their own laws and customs.Hugh Capet died on 24 October 996 and was buried in the Basilica of Saint-Denis. His son Robert succeeded him, continuing the Capetian line. Hugh's election as king is often viewed as a pivotal moment in the formation of modern France, as he established a power base in Paris and initiated a long process of centralization that would shape the future of the French monarchy.