Robert the Strong is the earliest of the Capetians we can be certain of, as their ancestry prior to him has been the subject of much controversy in genealogical circles. He rose to a position of great importance. It seems most probable that he was descended from one Lambert, who was an official at the court of King Dagobert I about 630; but genealogists have also sought to derive him from the Saxon hero Wittekind, from the Welfs of Bavaria, from Nebelong, Count of Madrie, and even from Charlemagne or some other scion of the Carolingians (Williamson, David. Debrett's kings and queens of Europe. Topsfield, Mass. : Salem House Publishers, c1988, pg. 67).