• Born: 27 Mar 972, Orléans, Loiret, Centre, France
• Married (1): Bef 1 Apr 988
• Married (2): 996
• Married (3): Between Sep 1001 and 25 Aug 1003
• Died: 20 Jul 1031, Melun, Yvelines, Ile-de-France, France
• Buried: St. Denis Abbey, St. Denis, Seine, France

  Research Notes:

The Genealogiæ Scriptoris Fusniacensis names "Robertum regem et filiam Hadevidem…comitissam Hainonensium" as the children of King Hugues. He was invested as associate-king with his father 25 Dec 987, consecrated 1 Apr 988 at the cathedral of Sainte-Croix in Orléans.

He succeeded his father in 996 as ROBERT II "le Pieux" King of France. He claimed the duchy of Burgundy on the death of his paternal uncle Duke Henri in 1002, but took 12 years to complete its conquest in the face of opposition from Otto-Guillaume Comte de Mâcon. After the death of Emperor Heinrich II in 1024, King Robert supported the rebels (led by Frédéric II Duke of Upper Lotharingia) opposed to King Konrad II but he refused the crown of Italy which they offered it to him. Robert nevertheless sent troops to attack Metz, but was repulsed.

The Chronicle of Alberic de Trois-Fontaines records the death in 1031 of "rex Francorum Robertus". Rodolfus Glaber records the death of King Robert at Melun in July and his place of burial. The necrology of Chartres cathedral records the death "XII Kal Aug" of "Rotbertus rex". The necrology of the abbey of Saint-Denis records the death "XIII Kal Aug" of "Rotbertus…Francorum rex". ¹

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BIOGRAPHY ²

"Robert II, byname Robert The Pious, French Robert Le Pieux... king of France who took Burgundy into the French realm.

The son of Hugh Capet, founder of the Capetian dynasty, and Adelaide of Aquitaine, Robert was educated at the episcopal school of Reims under Gerbert of Aurillac, later Pope Sylvester II. Soon after his own coronation (July 987), Hugh prudently arranged the election and coronation (December 987) of Robert, thus facilitating his son’s eventual succession (October 996) as sole ruler. His excommunication as a result of his marriage within the prohibited degrees of relationship was eventually lifted after the repudiation of the childless Bertha in 1001. Constance of Arles, whom the King married two years later, was the mother of his successor, Henry I.

Robert’s domain was not extensive; and, to increase his power, he vigorously and tenaciously pressed his claim to fiefs as they became vacant. Thus, when the duke of Burgundy died without an heir (1002), Robert went to war against a rival claimant. Only in 1015, however, did he finally succeed in subduing the rich duchy. (The gain was transitory, for in 1032 Henry I granted Burgundy to his brother, Robert, and it thereafter remained for centuries outside royal control.)

A patron of the Cluniac monastic movement, Robert apparently ruled firmly and judiciously in his own lands."