_King_ was
then abolish'd, &c."

* * * * *

CHAP. XVI.

_Of the_ Capevingian _Race, and the Manner of its
obtaining the Kingdom of_ Francogallia.

It has been already shewn, that the Kingdom of _Francogallia_ continued
in Three Families only, during One Thousand Two Hundred Years. Whereof
the first was called the _Merovingian_ Family. The second, the
_Carlovingian_, from the Names of their Founders or Beginners. For
altho' (as we have often told you) the Succession to the Kingdom was not
conferred as _Hereditary_ Right, but according to the Appointment of the
_General Council_; yet the _Franks_ were so far willing to retain the
Custom of their Progenitors the _Germans_, (who as _Tacitus_ tells us,
chuse their _Kings_ for their _Nobility_, and their _Generals_ for their
_Valour_) that for the most Part they elected such Kings as were of the
Blood _Royal_, and had been educated in a Regal Manner, whether they
were the Children, or some other Degree of Kindred to the Royal Family.

But in the Year 987, after the Death of _Lewis_ the Fifth, who was the
31st King of _Francogallia_, and the 12th of the _Carlovingian_ Line,
there hapned a Migration or Translation of the Royal Scepter, and a
Change of the Kingdom. For when there remained no Person alive of the
former Family but _Charles Duke of Lorrain_, Uncle to the deceased King,
to whom the Succession to the Kingdom, by ancient Custom seemed to be
due; there arose up one _Hugh Capet_, Nephew to _Hauvida_, Sister to the
Emperor _Otho_ the First, and Son to _Hugh_ Earl of _Paris_; a Man of
great Reputation for Valour, who alledged, that he being present upon
the Place, and having deserved extraordinary well of his Country, ought
to be preferred to a Stranger, who was absent. For there having hapned
some Controversies between the _Empire of Germany_, and the Kingdom of
_France_; _Charles_ upon Occasion had shewn himself partial for the
_Empire_ against _France_, and upon that Score had lost the Affections
of most of the _French_. Whereupon _Charles_ having raised an Army, made
an Irruption into _France_, and took several Cities by Composition.
_Capet_ relying on the Friendship and Favour of the _Francogallican_
Nobles, got together what Forces he cou'd, and went to meet him at
_Laon_, a Town in the Borders of _Champagne_; and not long after a
bloody Battel was fought between them, wherein _Capet_ was routed, and
forced to fly