Robert I, Duke of Burgundy

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French Monarchy-
Capetian Dynasty
(direct Capetians branch)

Hugh Capet Children    Robert II Robert II Children    Henry I    Robert I, Duke of Burgundy Henry I Children    Philip I    Hugh, Count of Vermandois Philip I Children    Louis VI Louis VI Children    Louis VII    Robert I of Dreux Louis VII Children    Mary, Countess of Champagne    Alix    Marguerite    Alys, Countess of the Vexin    Philip II    Agnes, Empress of Constantinople Philip II (Philip Augustus) Children    Louis VIII Louis VIII Children    Louis IX    Robert I, Count of Artois    Alphonse, Count of Poitou and Toulouse    Isabel of France    Charles I of Anjou and Sicily Louis IX Children    Philip III    Robert, Count of Clermont    Agnes, Duchess of Burgundy Philip III Children    Philip IV    Charles III, Count of Valois    Louis d'Evreux    Margaret of France Philip IV Children    Louis X    Philip V    Isabella of France    Charles IV Louis X Children    Joan II of Navarre    John I John I Philip V Charles IV

Robert I Capet (1011 – March 21, 1076) was duke of Burgundy between 1032 to his death. Robert was son of King Robert II of France and brother of Henry I.

In 1025, with the death of his eldest brother Hugh Magnus, he and Henry rebelled against their father and defeated him, forcing him back to Paris. In 1031, after the death of his father the king, Robert participated in a rebellion against his brother, in which he was supported by his mother, Queen Constance d'Arles. Peace was only achieved when Robert was given Burgundy (1032).

Throughout his reign, he was little more than a robber baron who had no control over his own vassals, whose estates he often plundered, especially those of the Church. He seized the income of the diocese of Autun and the wine of the canons of Dijon. He burgled the abbey of St-Germain at Auxerre. In 1055, he repudiated his wife, Helie of Semur, and assassinated her brother Joceran and murdered her father, his father-in-law, Lord Dalmace I of Semur, with his own hands. In that same year, the bishop of Langres, Harduoin, refused to dedicate the church of Sennecy so as not "to be exposed to the violence of the duke."

His first son, Hugh, died in battle at a young age and his second son, Henry, also predeceased him. He was succeeded by Henry's eldest son, his grandson, Hugh I.

[edit] Family

He married his first wife, Helie of Semur, about 1033, and repudiated her in 1055. Robert and Helie had five children:

1. Hugh (1034–1059), killed in battle
2. Henry (1035–ca.1074)
3. Robert (1040–1113), poisoned; married Violante of Sicily, daughter of Roger I of Sicily
4. Simon (1045–1087)
5. Constance (1046–1093), married Alfonso VI of Castile

• From his second wife, Ermengarde of Anjou, daughter of Fulk III of Anjou, he had one daughter:

1. Hildegard (c.1056–1104), married Duke William VIII of Aquitaine

[edit] See also

• Dukes of Burgundy family tree

[edit] Sources

• Gwatking, H. M., Whitney, J. P., et al. Cambridge Medieval History: Volume III—Germany and the Western Empire. Cambridge University Press: London, 1930.

Preceded by Henry

Duke of Burgundy 1032 – 1076

Succeeded by Hugh I