History: Hugh Capet

987- 996 CE - When the power and authority of the Frankish kings diminished in the West, the nobles chose Hugh Capet, count of Orl'eans and Paris to become king. The political intent of their choice is revealed in the fact that Capet was a minor land owner whose primary control was over the Ile-de-France. The nobles hoped to place a king who would not be able to build a formidable dynasty with his limited resources. Though Capet died in a campaign to Spain, 996 CE , he did succeed in convincing the court to allow his son to succeed him to the throne.