An embassy from Italy, sent by Ulric Manfred II of Turin, comes to France in 1024–1025 seeking a king of their own, the Emperor Henry II having died.

The Italians had asked for Robert's son Hugh Magnus, co-king of France, but Robert had refused to allow his son to go and the Italians turn to William, whose character and court impress many.

He sets out for Italy to consider the proposal, but the Italian political situation persuades him to renounce the crown for him and his heirs.

Most of his surviving six letters deal with the Italian proposal.

The Rebellion and Death of Hugh Magnus (1025) and the Capetian Succession Crisis

Hugh Magnus, the eldest son of King Robert II of France and Constance of Arles, had been crowned co-king in 1017 at his mother’s insistence, securing his place as heir to the throne. However, by 1025, Hugh had grown impatient, demanding real authority and eventually rebelling against his father.

Hugh’s Coronation and Rebellion (1017–1025)

• In 1017, at Constance of Arles’ urging, Robert II crowned Hugh as co-king, reinforcing the Capetian tradition of securing succession through joint kingship.
• By 1025, however, Hugh became frustrated with his lack of power, insisting that his father and mother share rule with him.
• His demands led to open rebellion, as Hugh attempted to forcefully assert his authority over the kingdom.

Constance’s Reaction and the Family Conflict

• Unlike previous instances where she had championed Hugh, Constance of Arles was furious at her son’s disobedience.
• She rebuked him at every turn, siding with Robert II against his insubordinate heir.
• Despite the conflict, Hugh eventually reconciled with his parents, though his position remained uncertain.

Hugh’s Sudden Death and Succession Crisis

• Shortly after his reconciliation, Hugh died suddenly in Compiègne on September 17, 1025, at the age of about eighteen.
• Some sources suggest he fell from his horse, though the exact circumstances of his death remain unclear.
• With his death, the Capetian succession was thrown into uncertainty, leading to bitter disputes between Robert II and Constance over which surviving son should be heir.

The Dispute Over the Next Heir

• Robert II favored Henry, his second son, as the next heir to the throne.
• Constance of Arles, however, supported their third son, Robert, leading to intense family conflict over succession.
• This dispute would continue beyond Robert II’s death in 1031, when Constance openly opposed Henry’s ascension, forcing him into exile and civil war before he could secure the throne.

Legacy

• Hugh’s untimely death prevented a direct father-to-son succession, intensifying dynastic struggles within the Capetian court.
• The dispute between Constance and Robert II over their sons exposed deep divisions within the royal family, foreshadowing future Capetian succession conflicts.
• Henry I ultimately succeeded his father, but only after years of resistance from his mother and rival noble factions, demonstrating the delicate nature of Capetian inheritance during the early medieval period.

Hugh Magnus’ rebellion and death in 1025 were pivotal moments in the Capetian dynasty’s early history, shaping the political tensions and struggles for royal authority that followed.