Capets

Capets, or Capetians, refer to the members of the Capetian dynasty, the French royal house founded by Hugh Capet after his election as king in 987. The dynasty’s long rule was pivotal in transforming a fragmented feudal realm into a centralized monarchy and laid the groundwork for the modern French state.

Origins and consolidation: After the fall of the Carolingians, Hugh Capet secured the crown with the support of powerful nobles. Over successive reigns—most notably Philip II Augustus, Louis IX, and Philip IV the Fair—the Capetians extended royal authority, stabilized succession, and expanded royal domains, while building institutions and a centralized administration.

Branches and succession: The Capetians eventually diversified into several cadet lines, including the direct Capetian line, the Valois, and later the Bourbons and Orléans. The succession typically followed the male line, a principle associated with Salic law that moderated royal inheritance and reinforced the crown’s continuity across generations.

Legacy and decline: The Capetian dynasty endured for nearly a millennium through various branches, shaping French law, language, and governance. It presided over major medieval and early modern events and contributed to the development of a centralized state. The monarchy in France ultimately ended in the 19th century, though cadet branches continued to figure in dynastic networks.

Notable rulers include Hugh Capet; Louis VI the Fat; Louis IX (Saint Louis); Philip II Augustus; Philip IV the Fair; and later Valois kings such as Philip VI, Charles V, and Louis XI; the Bourbon and Orléans branches continued the Capetian line into the modern era.