Hugh the Great

Hugh the Great (c. 898–956), duke of the Franks, was the son of King Robert I and father of Hugh Capet. When his father fell at Soissons in 923 he let the crown pass to his brother-in-law Rudolph.

The strongest magnate in West Francia, he recalled Louis IV in 936 and married Hedwig of Saxony, sister of Otto the Great, in 937.

He later warred against Louis, holding him captive in 945–946 until he surrendered Laon. Excommunicated by a council in 948, he made peace with Louis and the church in 953. He supported the succession of Louis's son Lothair and died in 956.