Editing Robert II of France (section)

====Charles de Lorraine seizes Laon (988–991)====
Precisely, Hugh Capet and Robert II relied on the contingents sent by the bishoprics since the city of [[Laon]] had just been stormed by [[Charles, Duke of Lower Lorraine|Charles of Lorraine]], the last [[Carolingian]] pretender to the throne. The sovereigns besieged the city twice, without result.{{efn|In his chronicle, Richer of Reims speaks of ''reges'' (kings in the plural).{{sfn|Bautier|1992|p=35}}{{sfn|Menant|1999|p=32}}}} Concerned about his failure in Laon, Hugh Capet contacted several sovereigns to obtain their help ([[Pope John XV]], Empress [[Theophanu]], mother and Regent on behalf of [[Otto III, Holy Roman Emperor|Emperor Otto III]]), in vain. After the death of Archbishop Adalbero of Reims (24 January 989), Hugh Capet decided to elect, as new archbishop, the Carolingian [[Arnulf (archbishop of Reims)|Arnoul]], an illegitimate son of King Lothair, rather than Gerbert of Aurillac. It is believed that this was to appease the supporters of the Carolingians, but the situation turned against the Capetians when Arnoul surrendered [[Reims]] to his uncle Charles.{{sfn|Menant|1999|p=32}}

The situation was unblocked thanks to the betrayal of [[Adalberon (bishop of Laon)|Ascelin, Bishop of Laon]], who seized Charles and Arnoul during their sleep and delivered them to the King (991): the Bishop thus saved the Capetian royalty ''in extremis''. In the Council of Saint-Basle de [[Verzy]], Arnoul was judged as a traitor by an assembly chaired by Robert II (June 991). Despite the protests of Abbon of Fleury, Arnoul was deposed. A few days later, Gerbert of Aurillac was appointed Archbishop of Reims with the support of his former pupil Robert II. Pope John XV did not accept this procedure and wanted to convene a new council in [[Aix-la-Chapelle]], but the bishops confirmed their decision in [[Chelles, Seine-et-Marne|Chelles]] (winter 993–994).{{sfn|Theis|1999|pp=67–74}}{{sfn|Menant|1999|p=33}}