Hugh IV of Lusignan
Encyclopedia
Hugh IV called Brunus (Latin
for the Brown), was the fourth Lord of Lusignan. He was the son of Hugh III Albus
and Arsendis. He was a turbulent baron, who brought his family out of obscurity and on their way to prominence in Europe
an and eventually even Middle East
ern affairs.
Hugh spent many years in war with the Viscounts of Thouars over a fief he claimed was rightfully his. Peace was obtained briefly by Hugh's marriage to Audéarde or Aldiarde, the daughter of the Viscount Ralph. As a dowry, Hugh received the castle of Mouzeuil. Hugh already held the castle of Lusignan
, built by his grandfather Hugh Carus
, and that of Couhé
, built by the duke of Aquitaine
. When Ralph, died, however, his successor Geoffrey retook Mouzeuil.
Hugh also engaged in a long war with Aimery I, lord of Rancon
, who seized Civray
, a fief of Bernard I of La Marche. By alliance with Duke William V of Aquitaine
, Hugh and Bernard retook Civray and Hugh held it as a fief, though he lost it soon after. Nevertheless, he continued his war with Aimery.
When the Viscounty of Châtellerault
fell vacant, Hugh asked the duke for it, but was put off with empty promises. Hugh waged war with the duke until the latter granted him the fief of Vivonne
, which had once belonged to his uncle Joscelin. William later deprived Hugh of the proceeds of the tax on Saint-Maixent
which his mother Emma, wife of William IV of Aquitaine
, had granted Hugh's father.
On 6 March 1025, Hugh exchanged lands with the abbey of Saint-Hilaire
of Poitiers
in order to found a monastery for his soul. The duke obtained two charters from King Robert II
confirming this monastic establishment and another at Couhé. Hugh and the Poitevin bishop Isembart then sent letters to Pope John XIX
to beg exemption for his monasteries from all authority save that of Nouaillé. Said exemption was granted.
At his monastery of Notre-Dame de Lusignan, a monkish chronicler wrote the Conventum inter Guillelmum ducem Aquitaniae et Hugonem Chiliarchum celebrating Hugh's warmaking. According to the Conventum, Hugh died a year after his final agreement with the duke, probably in 1026 or thereabouts. He left two sons by Audéarde: Hugh V
, who succeeded him, and Rorgo.
Latin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
for the Brown), was the fourth Lord of Lusignan. He was the son of Hugh III Albus
Hugh III of Lusignan
Hugh III , called Albus, was the third Lord of Lusignan, probably the son and successor of Hugh II. He confirmed the donation by one of his vassals of the church of Mezeaux to the abbey of Saint-Cyprien and himself granted the abbey the woodland and the public road between Lusignan and Poitiers...
and Arsendis. He was a turbulent baron, who brought his family out of obscurity and on their way to prominence in Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
an and eventually even Middle East
Middle East
The Middle East is a region that encompasses Western Asia and Northern Africa. It is often used as a synonym for Near East, in opposition to Far East...
ern affairs.
Hugh spent many years in war with the Viscounts of Thouars over a fief he claimed was rightfully his. Peace was obtained briefly by Hugh's marriage to Audéarde or Aldiarde, the daughter of the Viscount Ralph. As a dowry, Hugh received the castle of Mouzeuil. Hugh already held the castle of Lusignan
Château de Lusignan
The Château de Lusignan was the seat of the Lusignan family, Poitevin Marcher Lords, who distinguished themselves in the First Crusade and held the crowns of two Crusader kingdoms, the Kingdom of Jerusalem and the Kingdom of Cyprus, and even claimed the title King of Armenia.Lusignan was...
, built by his grandfather Hugh Carus
Hugh II of Lusignan
Hugh II , called Carus , was the second Lord of Lusignan, the son and successor of Hugh I Venator. According to the Chronicle of Saint-Maixent, he built the castle at Lusignan. Hugh III Albus, who emerges from historical obscurity in the next generation, was probably his son.-Sources:*Painter,...
, and that of Couhé
Couhé
Couhé is a commune in the Vienne department in the Poitou-Charentes region in western France.-External links:*...
, built by the duke of Aquitaine
Duke of Aquitaine
The Duke of Aquitaine ruled the historical region of Aquitaine under the supremacy of Frankish, English and later French kings....
. When Ralph, died, however, his successor Geoffrey retook Mouzeuil.
Hugh also engaged in a long war with Aimery I, lord of Rancon
Rancon
Rancon is a commune in the Haute-Vienne department in the Limousin region in west-central France.-Geography:The river Semme forms the commune's northern border....
, who seized Civray
Civray
Civray may refer to the following places in France:*Civray, Cher, a commune in the department of Cher*Civray, Vienne, a commune in the department of Vienne*Civray-de-Touraine, a commune in the department of Indre-et-Loire...
, a fief of Bernard I of La Marche. By alliance with Duke William V of Aquitaine
William V of Aquitaine
William V , called the Great , was Duke of Aquitaine and Count of Poitou from 990 until his death. He was the son and successor of William IV by his wife Emma of Blois, daughter of Theobald I of Blois. He seems to have taken after his formidable mother, who ruled Aquitaine as regent until 1004...
, Hugh and Bernard retook Civray and Hugh held it as a fief, though he lost it soon after. Nevertheless, he continued his war with Aimery.
When the Viscounty of Châtellerault
Châtellerault
Châtellerault is a commune in the Vienne department in the Poitou-Charentes region in France.It is located to the north of Poitou, and the residents are called Châtelleraudais.-Geography:...
fell vacant, Hugh asked the duke for it, but was put off with empty promises. Hugh waged war with the duke until the latter granted him the fief of Vivonne
Vivonne
Vivonne is a commune in the Vienne department in the Poitou-Charentes region in western France.Louis Victor de Rochechouart de Mortemart, brother of Madame de Montespan was the duc de Vivonne....
, which had once belonged to his uncle Joscelin. William later deprived Hugh of the proceeds of the tax on Saint-Maixent
Saint-Maixent
Saint-Maixent is a commune in the Sarthe department in the region of Pays-de-la-Loire in north-western France.-References:*...
which his mother Emma, wife of William IV of Aquitaine
William IV of Aquitaine
William IV , called Fierebras or Fierebrace , was the Duke of Aquitaine and Count of Poitou from 963 to his retirement in 990.William's father, William III, abdicated to the abbey of Saint-Cyprien in Poitiers and left the government to...
, had granted Hugh's father.
On 6 March 1025, Hugh exchanged lands with the abbey of Saint-Hilaire
Saint-Hilaire
-People:* Augustin Saint-Hilaire , a French botanist and traveler* Caroline St-Hilaire , a Canadian politician* Étienne Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire, , a French zoologist...
of Poitiers
Poitiers
Poitiers is a city on the Clain river in west central France. It is a commune and the capital of the Vienne department and of the Poitou-Charentes region. The centre is picturesque and its streets are interesting for predominant remains of historical architecture, especially from the Romanesque...
in order to found a monastery for his soul. The duke obtained two charters from King Robert II
Robert II of France
Robert II , called the Pious or the Wise , was King of France from 996 until his death. The second reigning member of the House of Capet, he was born in Orléans to Hugh Capet and Adelaide of Aquitaine....
confirming this monastic establishment and another at Couhé. Hugh and the Poitevin bishop Isembart then sent letters to Pope John XIX
Pope John XIX
Pope John XIX , born Romanus, was Pope from 1024 to 1032.He succeeded his brother, Pope Benedict VIII , both being members of the powerful house of Tusculum...
to beg exemption for his monasteries from all authority save that of Nouaillé. Said exemption was granted.
At his monastery of Notre-Dame de Lusignan, a monkish chronicler wrote the Conventum inter Guillelmum ducem Aquitaniae et Hugonem Chiliarchum celebrating Hugh's warmaking. According to the Conventum, Hugh died a year after his final agreement with the duke, probably in 1026 or thereabouts. He left two sons by Audéarde: Hugh V
Hugh V of Lusignan
Hugh V , called the Fair or the Pious, was the fifth Lord of Lusignan and Lord of Couhé. He succeeded his father, Hugh IV, sometime around 1026....
, who succeeded him, and Rorgo.
Sources
- Painter, SidneySidney PainterSidney Painter was a twentieth-century American medievalist at Johns Hopkins University.Painter was born in New York City; after the Taft School he attended Yale University . He wrote many influential books...
. "The Lords of Lusignan in the Eleventh and Twelfth Centuries." Speculum, Vol. 32, No. 1. (Jan., 1957), pp 27–47.