The Capetian dynasty (; french: Capétiens), also known as the House of France, is a dynasty of Franks, Frankish origin, and a branch of the Robertians. It is among the largest and oldest dynasty, royal houses in Europe and the world, and consists of Hugh Capet, the founder of the dynasty, and his male-line descendants, who ruled in France without interruption from 987 to 1792, and again from 1814 to 1848. The senior line ruled in France as the House of Capet from the election of Hugh Capet in 987 until the death of Charles IV of France, Charles IV in 1328. That line was succeeded by cadet branches, the Houses of House of Valois, Valois and then House of Bourbon, Bourbon, which ruled without interruption until the French Revolution abolished the monarchy in 1792. The Bourbons were restored in 1814 in the aftermath of Napoleon's defeat, but had to vacate the throne again in 1830 in favor of the last Capetian monarch of France, Louis Philippe I, who belonged to the House of Orléans. Cadet branches of the Capetian House of Bourbon house are still ruling over Spain and Luxembourg. The dynasty had a crucial role in the formation of the French state. Initially obeyed only in their own demesne, the Île-de-France, the Capetian kings slowly but steadily increased their power and influence until it grew to cover the entirety of their realm. For a detailed narration on the growth of French royal power, see ''Crown lands of France''. Members of the dynasty were traditionally Catholic, and the early Capetians had an alliance with the Catholic Church, Church. The French were also the most active participants in the Crusades, culminating in a series of five Crusader kings – Louis VII of France, Louis VII, Philip II of France, Philip Augustus, Louis VIII of France, Louis VIII, Louis IX, and Philip III of France, Philip III. The Capetian alliance with the papacy suffered a severe blow after the disaster of the Aragonese Crusade. Philip III's son and successor, Philip IV of France, Philip IV, humiliated Pope Boniface VIII and brought the Avignon Papacy, papacy under French control. The later Valois, starting with Francis I of France, Francis I, ignored religious differences and Franco-Ottoman alliance, allied with the Ottoman sultan to counter the growing power of the Holy Roman Empire. Henry IV of France, Henry IV was a Protestant at the time of his accession, but realized the necessity of conversion after four years of religious warfare. The Capetians generally enjoyed a harmonious family relationship. By tradition, younger sons and brothers of the king of France were given appanages for them to maintain their rank and to dissuade them from claiming the French crown itself. When Capetian cadets did aspire for kingship, their ambitions were directed not at the French throne, but at foreign thrones. As a result, the Capetians have reigned at different times in the kingdoms of Kingdom of Spain, Spain, United Kingdom of Poland, Poland, Kingdom of Aragon, Aragon, Kingdom of Portugal, Portugal, Kingdom of Navarre, Navarre, and as emperors of the Empire of Brazil, Brazilian and Latin Empire, Latin empires. In modern times, King Felipe VI of Spain is a member of this family, while Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg is of relation to the family by agnatic kinship; both through the House of Bourbon, Bourbon branch of the dynasty. Along with the House of Habsburg, arguably its greatest historic rival, it was one of the two oldest European royal dynasties. It was also one of the most powerful royal families in European history, having played a pre-eminent role in its politics for much of its existence.

Name origins and usage

The name of the dynasty derives from its founder, Hugh Capet of France, Hugh, who was known as "Hugh Capet". The meaning of "Capet" (a nickname rather than a surname of the modern sort) is unknown. While folk etymology identifies it with "cape", other suggestions indicate it might be connected to the Latin word ''caput'' ("head"), and explain it as meaning "chief" or "head". Historians in the 19th century (see House of France) came to apply the name "Capetian" to both the ruling house of France and to the wider-spread male-line descendants of Hugh Capet. It was not a contemporary practice. The name "Capet" has also been used as a surname for French royalty, particularly but not exclusively those of the House of Capet. One notable use was during the French Revolution, when the dethroned King Louis XVI (a member of the House of Bourbon and a direct male-line descendant of Hugh Capet) and Marie Antoinette of Austria, Queen Marie Antoinette (a member of the House of Lorraine, House of Habsburg-Lorraine) were referred to as "Louis and Antoinette Capet" (the queen being addressed as "the Widow Capet" after the execution of her husband).

Capetian miracle

The Capetian Miracle () refers to the dynasty's ability to attain and hold onto the French crown. In 987, Hugh Capet was elected to succeed Louis V of France, Louis V of the Carolingian dynasty that had ruled France for over three centuries. By a process of associating elder sons with them in the kingship, the early Capetians established the hereditary succession in their family and transformed a theoretically electoral kingship into a sacral one. By the time of Philip II Augustus, who became king in 1180, the Capetian hold on power was so strong that the practice of associate kingship was dropped. While the Capetian monarchy began as one of the weakest in Europe, drastically eclipsed by the new Anglo-Norman realm in England (who, as dukes of Normandy, were technically their vassals) and even other Peerage of France, great lords of France, the political value of orderly succession in the Middle Ages cannot be overstated. The orderly succession of power from father to son over such a long period of time meant that the French monarchs, who originally were essentially just the direct rulers of the Île-de-France, were able to preserve and extend their power, while over the course of centuries the great peers of the realm would eventually lose their power in one succession crisis or another. By comparison, the Crusader Kingdom of Jerusalem was constantly beset with internal succession disputes because each generation only produced female heirs who tended to die young. Even the English monarchy encountered severe succession crises, such as The Anarchy of the 1120s between Stephen and Matilda, and the murder of Arthur I, Duke of Brittany, the primogeniture heir of Richard I of England. The latter case would deal a severe blow to the prestige of John of England, King John, leading to the eventual destruction of Angevin hegemony in France. In contrast, the French kings were able to maintain uncontested father-to-son succession from the time of Hugh Capet until the succession crisis which began the Hundred Years' War of the 14th century.

The Robertians and before

The dynastic surname now used to describe Hugh Capet's family prior to his election as King of France is "Robertians" or "Robertines." The name is derived from the family's first certain ancestor, Robert the Strong (b. 820), the count of Paris. Robert was probably son of Robert III of Worms (b. 800) and grandson of Robert of Hesbaye (b. 770). The Robertians probably originated in the county Hesbaye, around Tongeren in modern-day Belgium. The sons of Robert the Strong were Odo of France, Odo and Robert I of France, Robert, who both ruled as king of Western Francia. The family became Count of Paris, Counts of Paris under Odo and Dukes of the Franks under Robert, possessing large parts of Neustria. In the late 9th century, King Robert I of France, Robert I, grandfather of Hugh Capet, married Beatrice of Vermandois, a direct descendent of Charlemagne, thus making the Capetian dynasty a cadet branch of the Carolingian dynasty.Detlev Schwennicke, ''Europäische Stammtafeln: Stammtafeln zur Geschichte der Europäischen Staaten'', Neue Folge, Band II (Marburg, Germany: J. A. Stargardt, 1984), Tafeln 10, 11Pierre Riché, ''The Carolingians; A Family Who Forged Europe'', trans. Michael Idomir Allen (Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press, 1993), pp. 371, 375 The Carolingian dynasty ceased to rule France upon the death of Louis V of France, Louis V. After the death of Louis V, the son of Hugh the Great, Hugh Capet, was elected by the nobility as king of France. Hugh was crowned at Noyon on 3 July 987 with the full support from Holy Roman Emperor Otto III, Holy Roman Emperor, Otto III. With Hugh's coronation, a new era began for France, and his descendants came to be named the ''Capetians,'' with the Capetian dynasty and its cadet branches such as the House of Valois ruling France for more than 800 years (987–1848, with some interruptions.

Robertian family branches

*Rodbert **Ingerman of Hesbaye ***Ermengarde of Hesbaye, wife of Louis the Pious **Cancor, founder of the Lorsch Abbey ***Heimrich (−795), count in the Lahngau ****Poppo of Grapfeld (−839/41), ancestor of the Frankish House of Babenberg **Landrada ***Chrodegang of Metz, Saint Chrodogang, Archbishop of Metz, Abbot of the Lorsch Abbey **Robert of Hesbaye ***Robert III of Worms ****Robert the Strong *****Odo of France, Odo, king of Western Francia *****Richildis, married to a count of Troyes *****Robert I of France, Robert, king of Western Francia ******Emma of France, Emma, married Rudolph, Duke of Burgundy, Rudolph of Burgundy ******Adela, married Herbert II, Count of Vermandois ******Hugh the Great *******Hugh Capet, founder House of Capet ********Hedwig of France, Hadwig, married Reginar IV, Count of Mons ********Robert II of France, Robert II *******Otto-Henry *******Odo *******Beatrix, married Frederick I, Duke of Upper Lorraine, Frederick of Bar *******Emma, married Richard I of Normandy *******Herbert of Selkirk, Herbert, bishop of Auxerre

Capetians through history

Over the succeeding centuries, Capetians spread throughout Europe, ruling every form of provincial unit from monarchy, kingdoms to Manorialism, manors.

Salic law

Salic law, reestablished during the Hundred Years' War from an ancient Salian Franks, Frankish tradition, caused the French monarchy to permit only male (Agnatic succession, agnatic) descendants of Hugh to succeed to the throne of France. Without Salic law, upon the death of John I of France, John I, the crown would have passed to his half-sister, Joan II of Navarre, Joan (later Joan II of Navarre). However, Joan's paternity was suspect due to her mother's adultery in the Tour de Nesle Affair; the French magnates adopted Salic law to avoid the succession of a possible bastard. In 1328, King Charles IV of France died without male heirs, as his brothers did before him. Philip VI of France, Philip of Valois, the late king's first cousin acted as regent, pending the birth of the king's posthumous child, which proved to be a girl. Isabella of France, sister of Charles IV, claimed the throne for her son, Edward III of England. The English king did not find support among the French lords, who made Philip of Valois their king. From then on the French succession not only excluded females but also rejected claims based on the female line of descent. Thus the French crown passed from the House of Capet after the death of Charles IV of France, Charles IV to Philip VI of France of the House of Valois, a cadet branch of the Capetian dynasty, *then to Louis II, Duke of Orléans, of the Orléans branch of the Valois, who became Louis XII of France, *then to Francis, Duke of Valois, Count of Angoulème, who became Francis I of France, and his descendants, of the Orléans-Angoulème, *then to Henry III of Navarre, who became Henry IV of France, of the House of Bourbon, a cadet branch of the Capetian dynasty. This did not affect monarchies not under that law such as Portugal, Spain, Navarre, and various smaller duchies and counties. Therefore, many royal families appear and disappear in the French succession or become cadet branches upon marriage. A complete list of the senior-most line of Capetians is available #Senior Capets, below.

Capetian cadet branches

The Capetian Dynasty has been broken many times into (sometimes rival) cadet branches. A cadet branch is a line of descent from another line than the senior-most. This list of cadet branches shows most of the Capetian cadet lines and designating their royal French progenitor, although some sub-branches are not shown. * Hugh Capet ** Robert II of France *** Henry I of France **** Philip I of France ***** Louis VI of France ****** Louis VII of France ******* Philip II of France ******** Louis VIII of France ********* Louis IX of France ********** Philip III of France *********** Philip IV of France *********** Blason comte fr Valois

House of Valois *********** Blason ville fr Mortain (Manche)

House of Évreux ********** Blason comte fr Clermont (Bourbon)

House of Bourbon ********* Blason province fr Artois

House of Artois ********* Blason comte fr Anjou

Capetian House of Anjou, House of Anjou ****** Blason Comtes de Dreux

House of Dreux ****** Blason Courtenay

Capetian House of Courtenay, House of Courtenay **** Armoiries Vermandois

Capetian House of Vermandois, House of Vermandois *** Blason Ducs Bourgogne (ancien)

House of Burgundy

Descendants of Philip III of France

* House of Valois (1293–1498) ** House of Valois-Orléans (1392–1515) *** House of Orléans-Angoulême (1407–1589) ** House of Valois-Anjou (1356–1481) ** House of Valois-Burgundy (1364–1477) *** House of Burgundy-Brabant (1404–1430) *** House of Burgundy-Nevers (1404–1491) ** House of Valois-Alençon (1325–1525) * House of Évreux (1303–1400) ** House of Évreux-Navarre (1328–1425)

Descendants of Louis IX of France

* House of Bourbon (1268–1503) ** Duchy of Montpensier#Counts of Montpensier (1384), House of Bourbon-Montpensier, counts (1443–1527) ** County of La Marche#Capetian-Bourbon dynasty, House of Bourbon-La Marche (1356–1438) *** List of counts and dukes of Vendôme#House of Bourbon, House of Bourbon-Vendôme (became Royal House of France in 1589) **** Henri, Count of Chambord, House of Artois (1775–1883) **** List of heads of state of Spain#House of Bourbon (1700–1808), House of Bourbon, Spanish branch (1700–present) ***** Carlism#Carlist claimants to the throne, Carlists (1819–1936) ***** Alfonso XII of Spain, Alfonsines (1819–present) ****** Infante Jaime, Duke of Segovia, House of Bourbon-Anjou (1933–present) ****** Spanish Royal Family, House of Bourbon, Spanish royal family (1933–present) ***** Duke of Seville, House of Bourbon-Seville (1823–) ***** House of Bourbon-Two Sicilies (1751–present) ***** House of Bourbon-Braganza (1752–1979) ***** House of Bourbon-Parma (1748–present) ****** Grand Ducal Family of Luxembourg, Parma-Luxembourg, called House of Nassau-Weilburg (1919–present) **** House of Orléans (1661–) ***** Orléans-Nemours, then (1891) House of Orléans-Braganza (1864–present) ****** Orléans-Alençon (1844–1970) ***** Orléans-Aumale (1822–1872) ***** Orléans-Montpensier, then Duke of Galliera#Orléans dukes, House of Orléans-Galliera (1824–present) **** Prince of Condé, House of Bourbon-Condé (1557–1830) ***** Prince of Conti, House of Bourbon-Conti (1629–1814) ***** Counts of Soissons, House of Bourbon-Soissons (1569–1641) **** Duchy of Montpensier#Dukes of Montpensier (1539), House of Bourbon-Montpensier, dukes (1477–1608) *** House of Bourbon-Carency (1393–1520) **** House of Bourbon-Duisant (1457–1530) *** House of Bourbon-Preaux (1385–1429)

Descendants of Louis VIII of France

* House of Artois (1237–1472) * Capetian House of Anjou, House of Anjou (initially ruling house of Sicily, then of Naples, became ruling house of Hungary) (1247–1382) ** List of monarchs of Naples, House of Anjou-Naples (1309–1343) ** Principality of Taranto#Angevin (Angiò) dynasty, House of Anjou–Taranto (1294–1374) ** Kingdom of Albania (medieval)#Dukes of Durazzo, House of Anjou–Durazzo (1309–1414)

Descendants of Louis VI of France

* House of Dreux (1137–1345) ** List of rulers of Brittany#House of Dreux, Breton House of Dreux (1213–1341) *** Montfort of Brittany, House of Montfort (1322–1488) * Capetian House of Courtenay (1150–1727) ** Capetian House of Courtenay – Latin Emperors of Constantinople (1217–1283)

Descendants of Henry I of France

* Capetian House of Vermandois (1085–1212)

Descendants of Robert II of France

* House of Burgundy (1032–1361) ** Portuguese House of Burgundy (1109–1383) *** ''House of Aviz'' (1385–1580) – illegitimate male-line descent from Burgundy **** ''House of Braganza'' (1442–present) – illegitimate male-line descent from Aviz ***** ''Duke of Cadaval, House of Cadaval'' (1645–present), the male line went extinct in 2001

Sovereigns from the Capetian dynasty

Latin Empire

* Peter II of Courtenay, Peter (1216–1217) * Robert of Courtenay, Robert (1219–1228) * Baldwin II of Constantinople, Baldwin II (1228–1273, exiled in 1261) * Philip I, Latin Emperor, Philip I (1273–1283) * Catherine I, Latin Empress, Catherine I (1283–1307) * Catherine II, Latin Empress, Catherine II (1307–1346) * Robert, Prince of Taranto, Robert II (1346–1364) * Philip II, Prince of Taranto, Philip II (1364–1374)

Kingdom of Albania (medieval), Kingdom of Albania

* Charles I of Naples, Charles I (1272–1285) * Charles II of Naples, Charles II (1285–1294) * Philip I of Taranto, Philip (1294–1331) * Robert of Taranto, Robert (1331–1332) * John, Duke of Durazzo, John (1332–1336) * Charles, Duke of Durazzo, Charles III (1336–1348) * Joanna, Duchess of Durazzo, Joan I (1348–1368) * Louis, Duke of Durazzo, Louis (1376–1383)

Kingdom of Etruria

* Louis of Etruria, Louis (1801–1803) * Charles II, Duke of Parma, Charles Louis (1803–1807)

Kingdom of France

* Hugh Capet, Hugh (987–996) * Robert II of France, Robert II (996–1031) * Henry I of France, Henry I (1031–1060) * Philip I of France, Philip I (1060–1108) * Louis VI of France, Louis VI (1108–1137) * Louis VII of France, Louis VII (1137–1180) * Philip II of France, Philip II (1180–1223) * Louis VIII of France, Louis VIII (1223–1226) * Louis IX of France, Louis IX (1226–1270) * Philip III of France, Philip III (1270–1285) * Philip IV of France, Philip IV (1285–1314) * Louis X of France, Louis X (1314–1316) * John I of France, John I (1316) * Philip V of France, Philip V (1316–1322) * Charles IV of France, Charles IV (1322–1328) * Philip VI of France, Philip VI (1328–1350) * John II of France, John II (1350–1364) * Charles V of France, Charles V (1364–1380) * Charles VI of France, Charles VI (1380–1422) * Charles VII of France, Charles VII (1422–1461) * Louis XI of France, Louis XI (1461–1483) * Charles VIII of France, Charles VIII (1483–1498) * Louis XII of France, Louis XII (1498–1515) * Francis I of France, Francis I (1515–1547) * Henry II of France, Henry II (1547–1559) * Francis II of France, Francis II (1559–1560) * Charles IX of France, Charles IX (1560–1574) * Henry III of France, Henry III (1574–1589) * Henry IV of France, Henry IV (1589–1610) * Louis XIII of France, Louis XIII (1610–1643) * Louis XIV of France, Louis XIV (1643–1715) * Louis XV of France, Louis XV (1715–1774) * Louis XVI of France, Louis XVI (1774–1792) * Louis XVIII of France, Louis XVIII (1814–1815, 1815–1824) * Charles X of France, Charles X (1824–1830) * Louis-Philippe of France, Louis Philip (1830–1848)

Kingdom of Hungary

* Charles I of Hungary, Charles I (1310–1342) * Louis I of Hungary, Louis I (1342–1382) * Mary of Hungary, Mary (1382–1385, 1386–1395) * Charles II of Hungary, Charles II (1385–1386)

Kingdom of Naples

* Charles I of Naples, Charles I (1266–1285) * Charles II of Naples, Charles II (1285–1309) * Robert of Naples, Robert (1309–1343) * Joan I of Naples, Joan I (1343–1382) * Charles III of Naples, Charles III (1382–1386) * Ladislaus of Naples, Ladislas (1386–1414) * Joan II of Naples, Joan II (1414–1435) * Rene I of Naples, René I (1435–1442) * Philip V of Spain, Philip (1700–1707) * Charles III of Spain, Charles VII (1735–1759) * Ferdinand I of the Two Sicilies, Ferdinand IV (1759–1816)

Kingdom of Navarre

* Philip IV of France, Philip I (1284–1305) * Louis X of France, Louis I (1305–1316) * John I of France, John I (1316–1316) * Philip V of France, Philip II (1316–1322) * Charles IV of France, Charles I (1322–1328) * Joan II of Navarre, Joan II (1328–1349) * Philip III of Navarre, Philip III (1328–1343) * Charles II of Navarre, Charles II (1349–1387) * Charles III of Navarre, Charles III (1387–1425) * Blanche I of Navarre, Blanche I (1425–1441) * Antoine of Navarre, Anthony (1555–1562) * Henry IV of France, Henry III (1572–1610) * Louis XIII of France, Louis II (1610–1643) * Louis XIV of France, Louis III (1643–1715) * Louis XV of France, Louis IV (1715–1774) * Louis XVI of France, Louis V (1774–1792) * Louis XVIII of France, Louis VII (1814–1815, 1815–1824) * Charles X of France, Charles V (1824–1830) * Louis-Philippe of France, Louis Philip (1830–1848)

Kingdom of Poland

* Louis I of Hungary, Louis (1370–1382) * Jadwiga of Poland, Hedwig (1384–1399) * Henry III of France, Henry (1573–1574)

Kingdom of Portugal, Kingdom and County of Portugal

* Henry, Count of Portugal, Henry (1093–1112) * Afonso I Henriques, Alphonse I (1112–1185, crowned in 1139) * Sancho I of Portugal, Sancho I (1185–1211) * Afonso II of Portugal, Alphonse II (1211–1223) * Sancho II of Portugal, Sancho II (1223–1247) * Afonso III of Portugal, Alphonse III (1247–1279) * Denis of Portugal, Denis (1279–1325) * Afonso IV of Portugal, Alphonse IV (1325–1357) * Peter I of Portugal, Peter I (1357–1367) * Ferdinand I of Portugal, Ferdinand I (1367–1383)

Kingdom of Trinacria, Kingdom of Sicily

* Charles I of Naples, Charles I (1266–1282) * Philip V of Spain, Philip (1700–1713) * Charles III of Spain, Charles VII (1735–1759) * Ferdinand I of the Two Sicilies, Ferdinand III (1759–1816)

Kingdom of Spain

* Philip V of Spain, Philip V (1700–1724, 1724–1746) * Louis of Spain, Louis I (1724) * Ferdinand VI of Spain, Ferdinand VI (1746–1759) * Charles III of Spain, Charles III (1759–1788) * Charles IV of Spain, Charles IV (1788–1808, 1808) * Ferdinand VII of Spain, Ferdinand VII (1808, 1813–1833) * Isabella II of Spain, Isabella II (1833–1868) * Alfonso XII of Spain, Alphonse XII (1874–1885) * Alfonso XIII of Spain, Alphonse XIII (1886–1931) * Juan Carlos of Spain, John Charles I (1975–2014) * Felipe VI of Spain, Philip VI (2014–)

Kingdom of the Two Sicilies

* Ferdinand I of the Two Sicilies, Ferdinand I (1816–1825) * Francis I of the Two Sicilies, Francis I (1825–1830) * Ferdinand II of the Two Sicilies, Ferdinand II (1830–1859) * Francis II of the Two Sicilies, Francis II (1859–1860)

Grand Duchy of Lithuania

* Henry III of France, Henry (1573–1574)

Grand Duchy of Luxembourg

* Jean of Luxembourg, Jean (1964–2000) * Henri of Luxembourg, Henri (2000–)

Duchy of Brabant

* Anthony, Duke of Brabant, Anthony (1406–1415) * John IV, Duke of Brabant, John IV (1415–1427) * Philip of Saint-Pol, Duke of Brabant, Philip I (1427–1430) * Philip III, Duke of Burgundy, Philip II (1430–1467) * Charles, Duke of Burgundy, Charles (1467–1477) * Mary of Burgundy, Mary (1477–1482)

Duchy of Brittany

* Peter I, Duke of Brittany, Peter I (1213–1237) * John I, Duke of Brittany, John I (1237–1286) * John II, Duke of Brittany, John II (1286–1305) * Arthur II, Duke of Brittany, Arthur II (1305–1316) * John III, Duke of Brittany, John III (1312–1341) * John IV, Duke of Brittany, John IV (1341–1345) * John V, Duke of Brittany, John V (1364–1399) * John VI, Duke of Brittany, John VI (1399–1442) * Francis I, Duke of Brittany, Francis I (1442–1450) * Peter II, Duke of Brittany, Peter II (1450–1457) * Arthur III, Duke of Brittany, Arthur III (1457–1458) * Francis II, Duke of Brittany, Francis II (1458–1488) * Anne, Duchess of Brittany, Anne (1488–1514) * Claude of France, Claude (1514–1524) * Francis I of France, Francis III (1514–1524) * Francis, Dauphin of France (1518–1536), Francis IV (1524–1536) * Henry II of France, Henry (1536–1547)

Duchy of Burgundy

* Otto, Duke of Burgundy, Otto of Paris (956–965) * Eudes-Henry, Duke of Burgundy, Odo-Henry (965–1002) * Henry I of France, Henry I (1026–1032) * Robert I, Duke of Burgundy, Robert I (1032–1076) * Hugh I, Duke of Burgundy, Hugh I (1076–1079) * Eudes I, Duke of Burgundy, Odo I (1079–1103) * Hugh II, Duke of Burgundy, Hugh II (1103–1143) * Eudes II, Duke of Burgundy, Odo II (1143–1162) * Hugh III, Duke of Burgundy, Hugh III (1162–1192) * Eudes III, Duke of Burgundy, Odo III (1192–1218) * Hugh IV, Duke of Burgundy, Hugh IV (1218–1272) * Robert II, Duke of Burgundy, Robert II (1272–1306) * Hugh V, Duke of Burgundy, Hugh V (1306–1315) * Eudes IV, Duke of Burgundy, Odo IV (1315–1349) * Philip I, Duke of Burgundy, Philip I (1349–1361) * John II of France, John I (1361–1363) * Philip the Bold, Philip II (1363–1404) * John the Fearless, John II (1404–1419) * Philip the Good, Philip III (1419–1467) * Charles the Bold, Charles (1467–1477) * Mary of Burgundy, Mary (1477–1482)

Duchy of Lorraine

* René I of Naples, René I (1431–1453) * John II, Duke of Lorraine, John II (1453–1470) * Nicholas I, Duke of Lorraine, Nicholas I (1470–1473) * Yolande, Duchess of Lorraine, Yolande (1473–1473)

Duchy of Lucca

* Maria Louisa, Duchess of Lucca, Maria Louisa (1815–1824) * Charles II, Duke of Parma, Charles (1824–1847)

Duchy of Luxemburg

* Anthony, Duke of Brabant, Anthony (1411–1415) * Philip III, Duke of Burgundy, Philip I (1443–1467) * Charles the Bold, Charles (1467–1477) * Mary of Burgundy, Mary (1477–1482) * Philip V of Spain, Philip V (1700–1712)

Duchy of Milan

* Louis XII of France, Louis I (1499–1512) * Francis I of France, Francis II (1515–1521) * Philip V of Spain, Philip IV (1700–1714)

Duchy of Parma

* Charles III of Spain, Charles I (1731–1735) * Philip, Duke of Parma, Philip (1748–1765) * Ferdinand, Duke of Parma, Ferdinand (1765–1802) * Charles II, Duke of Parma, Charles II (1847–1849) * Charles III, Duke of Parma, Charles III (1849–1854) * Robert I, Duke of Parma, Robert I (1854–1859)

Principality of Achaea

* Charles I of Sicily, Charles I (1278–1285) * Charles II of Naples, Charles II (1285–1289) * Philip I, Prince of Taranto, Philip I (1307–1313) * Louis of Burgundy, Louis (1313–1316) * Robert of Naples, Robert I (1318–1322) * Robert of Taranto, Robert II (1333–1364) * Catherine II of Valois, Princess of Achaea, Catherine II (1333–1346) * Philip II of Taranto, Philip II (1364–1373) * Joan I of Naples, Joan I (1373–1381) * Charles II of Hungary, Charles III (1383–1386)

Principality of Taranto

* Charles I of Sicily, Charles I (1266–1285) * Charles II of Naples, Charles II (1285–1294) * Philip I, Prince of Taranto, Philip I (1294–1331) * Robert, Prince of Taranto, Robert II (1331–1346, 1362–1364) * Louis I of Anjou, Louis (1346–1362) * Philip II, Prince of Taranto, Philip II (1362–1374) * Ladislaus of Naples, Ladislaus (1406–1414) * James II, Count of La Marche, James (1414–1420)

County of Namur, Marquisate of Namur

* Philip II, Marquis of Namur, Philip II (1212–1226) * Henry II, Marquis of Namur, Henry II (1226–1229) * Margaret, Marchioness of Namur, Margaret (1229–1237) * Baldwin II, Latin Emperor, Baldwin II (1237–1256) * Philip the Good, Philip IV (1421–1467) * Charles the Bold, Charles I (1467–1477) * Mary of Burgundy, Mary I (1477–1482)

Illegitimate descent

Empire of Brazil

* Pedro I of Brazil, Peter I (1822–1831) * Pedro II of Brazil, Peter II (1831–1889)

Kingdom of Portugal

* John I of Portugal, John I (1385–1433) * Edward, King of Portugal, Edward (1433–1438) * Afonso V of Portugal, Alphonse V (1438–1481) * John II of Portugal, John II (1481–1495) * Manuel I of Portugal, Manuel I (1495–1521) * John III of Portugal, John III, (1521–1557) * Sebastian I of Portugal, Sebastian, (1557–1578) * Henry, King of Portugal, Henry (1578–1580) * Anthony, Prior of Crato, Anthony (1580–1580, disputed) * John IV of Portugal, John IV (1640–1656) * Afonso VI of Portugal, Alphonse VI (1656–1683) * Peter II of Portugal, Peter II (1683–1706) * John V of Portugal, John V (1706–1750) * Joseph I of Portugal, Joseph I (1750–1777) * Peter III of Portugal, Peter III (1777–1786) * Maria I of Portugal, Mary I (1777–1816) * John VI of Portugal, John VI (1816–1826) * Pedro I of Brazil, Peter IV (1826–1826) * Maria II of Portugal, Mary II (1826–1828, 1834–1853) * Miguel I of Portugal, Michael I (1828–1834)

Senior Capets

Throughout most of history, the Senior Capet and the King of France were synonymous terms. Only in the time before Hugh Capet took the crown for himself and after the reign of Charles X of France, Charles X is there a distinction such that the senior Capet must be identified independently from succession to the French Crown. However, since primogeniture and the Salic law provided for the succession of the French throne for most of French history, here is a list of all the French kings from Hugh until Charles, and all the Legitimist pretenders thereafter. All dates are for seniority, not reign. King of France: * Hugh Capet, Hugh, King of France (987–996) * Robert II of France, Robert II, King of France (996–1031) * Henry I of France, Henry I, King of France (1031–1060) * Philip I of France, Philip I, King of France (1060–1108) * Louis VI of France, Louis VI, King of France (1108–1137) * Louis VII of France, Louis VII, King of France (1137–1180) * Philip II of France, Philip II, King of France (1180–1223) * Louis VIII of France, Louis VIII, King of France (1223–1226) * Louis IX of France, Louis IX, King of France (1226–1270) * Philip III of France, Philip III, King of France (1271–1285) * Philip IV of France, Philip IV, King of France (1285–1314) * Louis X of France, Louis X, King of France (1314–1316) * John I of France, John I, King of France (1316–1316) * Philip V of France, Philip V, King of France (1316–1322) * Charles IV of France, Charles IV, King of France (1322–1328) * Philip VI of France, Philip VI, King of France (1328–1350) * John II of France, John II, King of France (1350–1364) * Charles V of France, Charles V, King of France (1364–1380) * Charles VI of France, Charles VI, King of France (1380–1422) * Charles VII of France, Charles VII, King of France (1422–1461) * Louis XI of France, Louis XI, King of France (1461–1483) * Charles VIII of France, Charles VIII, King of France (1483–1498) * Louis XII of France, Louis XII, King of France (1498–1515) * Francis I of France, Francis I, King of France (1515–1547) * Henry II of France, Henry II, King of France (1547–1559) * Francis II of France, Francis II, King of France (1559–1560) * Charles IX of France, Charles IX, King of France (1560–1574) * Henry III of France, Henry III, King of France (1574–1589) * Henry IV of France, Henry IV, King of France (1589–1610) * Louis XIII of France, Louis XIII, King of France (1610–1643) * Louis XIV of France, Louis XIV, King of France (1643–1715) * Louis XV of France, Louis XV, King of France (1715–1774) * Louis XVI of France, Louis XVI, King of France (1774–1793) * Louis XVII of France, Louis XVII, King of France (1793–1795) * Louis XVIII of France, Louis XVIII, King of France (1795–1824) * Charles X of France, Charles X, King of France (1824–1836) Legitimism, Legitimist Pretenders: * Louis-Antoine, Duke of Angoulême, Louis Anthony, Duke of Angoulême (1836–1844) * Henri, comte de Chambord, Henry, Count of Chambord (1844–1883) * Juan, Count of Montizón, John, Count of Montizón (1883–1887) * Carlos, Duke of Madrid, Charles, Duke of Madrid (1887–1909) * Jacques, Duke of Anjou and Madrid, James, Duke of Anjou and Madrid (1909–1931) * Alfonso Carlos, Duke of San Jaime, Alphonse Charles, Duke of San Jaime (1931–1936) * Alfonso XIII of Spain, Alphonse XIII, King of Spain (1936–1941) * Jaime, Duque de Segovia, James Henry, Duke of Anjou and Segovia (1941–1975) * Alfonso, Duke of Anjou and Cádiz, Alphonse, Duke of Anjou and Cádiz (1975–1989) * Louis-Alphonse, Duc d'Anjou, Louis Alphonse, Duke of Anjou (1989–)

The Capetian dynasty today

Many years have passed since the Capetian monarchs ruled a large part of Europe; however, they still remain as kings, as well as other titles. Currently two Capetian monarchs still rule in Spain and Luxembourg. In addition, seven pretenders represent exiled dynastic monarchies in Brazil, France, Spain, Portugal, Parma and Two Sicilies. The current legitimate, senior family member is Louis Alphonse, Duke of Anjou, Louis-Alphonse de Bourbon, known by his supporters as Duke of Anjou, who also holds the Legitimist (''Blancs d'Espagne'') claim to the French throne. Overall, dozens of branches of the Capetian dynasty still exist throughout Europe. Except for the House of Braganza (founded by an Afonso, 1st Duke of Braganza, illegitimate son of King John I of Portugal, who was himself illegitimate), all current major Capetian branches are of the Bourbon cadet branch. Within the House of Bourbon, many of these lines are themselves well-defined cadet lines of the House.

Current Capetian rulers

* Henri of Luxembourg, Henri, Grand Duke of Luxembourg (since 2000) *Felipe VI of Spain, Felipe VI, King of Spain (since 2014)

Current Capetian pretenders

* Louis Alphonse, Duke of Anjou, Legitimist pretender to the Kingdom of France since 1989. * Prince Pedro, Duke of Calabria, Calabrian pretender to the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies since 2015. * Prince Carlo, Duke of Castro, Castroist pretender to the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies since 2008. * Carlos, Duke of Parma, pretender to the Duchy of Parma since 2010 and one of the Carlism, Carlist pretender to the Kingdom of Spain since 2010. * Prince Sixtus Henry of Bourbon-Parma, the other Carlism, Carlist pretenders to the Kingdom of Spain since 1979. * Jean, Count of Paris, Orléanist pretender to the Kingdom of France since 2019. * Prince Pedro Carlos of Orléans-Braganza, Petrópolis pretender to the Empire of Brazil since 2007. * Prince Bertrand of Orléans-Braganza, Vassouras pretender to the Empire of Brazil since 2022. * Duarte Pio, Duke of Braganza, pretender to the Kingdom of Portugal since 1976.

Arms of cadet branches

Notes

References

Works cited

External links

Genealogies of the Capetian dynasty from Genealogy.eu

{{Authority control Capetian dynasty, French royal families European royal families Spanish royalty Roman Catholic families