Historical Figures

Adalberon (c.920 - 989)

Archbishop of Reims, he was Chancellor of the Carolingian king Lothaire (974) who accused him of treason. Hughes Capet, Duke of France, had his innocence proclaimed to the assembly of Senlis. As a sign of gratitude, Adalberon proposed that the Duke of France should be made provisional king, the throne being vacant. He made a famous speech to the Greats who elected Hugh. Adalberon aimed to reform the Church. With Gerbert d'Aurillac, he campaigned for the creation of a single empire in the image of the neo-Carolingian empire of the Ottons. But Hugues Capet does not see it that way and he will have his son crowned to establish his dynasty in France.