Saint Hugh I, Bishop of Rouen and Bayeux
Grandson of Pepin of Herstal and nephew of Charles Martel, Hugh I was an influential prelate of the 8th century holding the sees of Rouen, Bayeux, and Paris. Despite this plurality of benefices, he distinguished himself by his piety and generosity towards the churches and abbeys he directed. He died holily at the Abbey of Jumièges in 730.
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SAINT HUGH I, BISHOP OF ROUEN AND BAYEUX (730).
Illustrious origins and beginnings in Metz
Hugh was born into the high Carolingian nobility, son of the Count of Champagne and grandson of Pepin of Herstal. He began his ecclesiastical career as primicerius in Metz.
This prelate, of illustrious origin, was the son of Dreux or Brogon, Count of Champagne, and consequently the grandson o f the famous Pep in of Hers tal. His mother Plectrude was th e daughter of Waratto , Mayor of the Palace of Neustria. He was first can tor or primice rius of the church of Metz.
An exceptional accumulation of offices
Under the influence of his uncle Charles Martel, he received around 722 the simultaneous administration of the dioceses of Rouen, Bayeux, and Paris, as well as the abbeys of Fontenelle and Jumièges.
Charles Martel , in the overly liberal distribution he made of Church property to laymen and even to officers of his court, did not forget a nephew who could bring much honor to his family. Around the year 722, he gave him the archbishopric o f Rouen, the bishop rics o f Bayeux and Pari s, and the a bbeys of Fontenelle and Jumièges. The misf ortune of the times and the holy use he made of these benefices may serve as an excuse for Saint Hugh having accepted several of them. Indeed, far from enriching himself personally, he showered the churches he governed with donations. Hugh died holily at Jumièges on Sunday, April 9, 730, and was buried in the monastery church. At the time of the Norman invasion, his relics wer e transp orted to the church of Notre-Dame d'Haspres, nea r Valen ciennes, in the diocese of Cambrai.
According to the Ga llia Christiana, he was the twenty-fifth bishop of Rouen and the fifteenth of Bayeux.
Death and translation of the relics
Hugh died at Jumièges in 730. His relics were later transferred to Haspres to protect them from the Norman invasions.
France pontificale.
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Frequently asked questions about Saint Hugh I, Bishop of Rouen and Bayeux
Who was Saint Hugh I, Bishop of Rouen and Bayeux?
Grandson of Pepin of Herstal and nephew of Charles Martel, Hugh I was an influential prelate of the 8th century holding the sees of Rouen, Bayeux, and Paris. Despite this plurality of benefices, he distinguished himself by his piety and generosity towards the churches and abbeys he directed. He died holily at the Abbey of Jumièges in 730.
What is Saint Hugh I, Bishop of Rouen and Bayeux the patron saint of?
Patronage of Saint Hugh I, Bishop of Rouen and Bayeux: Rouen and Bayeux.
Which saints were contemporaries of Saint Hugh I, Bishop of Rouen and Bayeux?
Contemporaries include: Saint Hidulph of Trier, Saint Ghislain (Guillain), Saint Lambert (Landebert) and Saint Amand of Maastricht.
When did Saint Hugh I, Bishop of Rouen and Bayeux die?
Saint Hugh I, Bishop of Rouen and Bayeux died around 730.
What are the other names of Saint Hugh I, Bishop of Rouen and Bayeux?
Other forms of the name: Hugues de Rouen.
Who are the relatives of Saint Hugh I, Bishop of Rouen and Bayeux?
Relatives of Saint Hugh I, Bishop of Rouen and Bayeux: Dreux (ou Brogon) (father), Plectrode (mother), Pépin d'Héristal (grandfather), Waraton (maternal grandfather) and Charles-Martel (uncle).
Annexes & related entities
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Key Events
- Chanter or primicerius of the church of Metz
- Appointment to the Archbishopric of Rouen around 722
- Simultaneous administration of the bishoprics of Bayeux and Paris
- Governance of the abbeys of Fontenelle and Jumièges
- Significant donations to the churches governed
- Death and burial at Jumièges in 730
- Translation of relics to Haspres during the Norman invasion