 He was in possession of Bordeaux by 988, when he sought the advice of the council of "seniores" ("lords") of Bordeaux for the restoration of the monastery of Saint-Sever.While Gascony had long been out of the orbit of the French kings, Bordeaux had not been.With its acquisition, William began dating his charters by the reign of the king, Hugh Capet (987–96), with the clause "King Hugh reigning" ("regnante rege Hugone").