Duchy of Burgundy
Prior to his election as king, Rudolph was the duke of Burgundy and count of Troyes from 921. He inherited the Duchy of Burgundy from his father, Richard, and married Emma, daughter of King Robert I of France. He was elected to succeed his father-in-law who was killed at the Battle of Soissons against the deposed king Charles the Simple. He was crowned by Walter, the archbishop of Sens, at St.Médard in Soissons on 13 July 923. On assuming the crown he passed the Duchy of Burgundy to his younger brother Hugh the Black.