Robert II "the Pious"
(artist unknown)

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.

He was married to Rosela of Italy (daughter of King Berengar II and Queen Willa) before 988. He had the marriage annulled in 992.

He was married to Bertha of Burgundy (daughter of Conrad of Burgundy and Matilda of France) in 995. He had the marriage annulled in 998.

He was married to Queen Constance (daughter of Count William II and Adelaide (Blanche) of Anjou) in 998.