Robert I "Robertian", roi des Francs #52ancestors

This one is for my French teacher in high school... 

*Robert I de France, roi des Francs (King of West Francia) is Queen Elizabeth II's 24th great grandfather.     

http://www.geni.com/people/Robert-I-King-of-France/4647274           

**Robert I was never a Capet (this was a family name created by Hugh Capet, based on a place name). The name of his family or dynasty was "Robertian" (from Robert Le Fort, his father). 

Robert I (15 August 866 – 15 June 923), King of Western Francia (922 – 923), was the younger son of Robert the Strong, count of Anjou, and the brother of Odo, who became king of the Western Franks in 888.

West Francia evolved over time into France; under King Odo, the capital was fixed on Paris, a large step in that direction. His family is known as the Robertians.

Robert was present at the Siege of Paris in 885. Appointed by King Odo ruler of several counties, including the county of Paris, the March of Neustria, and abbot in commendam of many abbeys, Robert also secured the office of Dux Francorum, a military dignity of high importance. He did not claim the crown of West Francia when his brother died in 898; but recognising the supremacy of the Carolingian king, Charles III the Simple, he was confirmed in his offices and possessions, after which he continued to defend northern Francia from the attacks of the Norsemen.

The peace between the king and his powerful vassal was not seriously disturbed until about 921. The rule of King Charles, and especially his partiality for a certain Comte Hagano had aroused some irritation (he was made into Charles' principle advisor and favorite - the French Wikipedia page suggests Hagano served merely as a pretext for a premeditated bid for power); and, supported by many of the clergy and by some of the most powerful of the Frankish nobles, Robert took up arms, drove Charles III into Lorraine, and was himself crowned king of the Franks (rex Francorum) at Rheims (crowned by Gautier Archbishop of Sens) on Sunday 30 June 922.

Collecting an army, Charles III marched against the usurper and, on 15 June 923, in the stubborn and sanguinary Battle of Soissons (near the city of the same name), Robert I was killed, according to one tradition in single combat with his rival (the French Wikipedia page says this was Fulbert, Faubert, or Foubert).

(The French Wikipedia continues the story, saying that Robert's son, Hugh the Great, denied Charles III the Simple his victory, preventing him from recovering the crown of Western Francia. The nobility instead elect Raoul Duke of Burgundy, stepson of Robert I; he was consecrated on 13 July 923.)

Robert was married twice. Through his first wife, Aelis/Adele du Maine, he had two daughters. Each married powerful lay vassals of their father: Emma of France (894–935) to Rudolph, Duke of Burgundy, and Hildebranda (895–931) to Herbert II of Vermandois.

Through his second wife, Béatrice of Vermandois, daughter of Herbert I of Vermandois, he had his only son, Hugh the Great, who was later dux Francorum and father of King Hugh Capet, and a daughter Richilda. He may have had other daughters.

References

This article incorporates text from the Encyclopædia Britannica Eleventh Edition, a publication now in the public domain.

King of Western Francia (922–923) Preceded by Charles the Simple Succeeded by Rudolph -------------------- From the English Wikipedia page on the Battle of Soissons (923):http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Soissons_(923)