Hugh of Champagne


Saint Hugh, Hugh of Champagne, or St Hugh of Rouen, was the grandson of Pepin of Heristal and Plectrude through their son, Drogo of Champagne, and his wife Anstrude, herself the daughter of Waratton and Ansflede. Both Waratton and Drogo were mayors of the palaces.

Life

He was, though still a layman, endowed with Jumièges Abbey. He then entered the monastery of Jumièges in 718 and embraced the religious life under Abbot Cochin.
He became Vicar-General of Metz. In 722, the archdiocese of Rouen fell vacant and Hugh was appointed archbishop. In 723, he accepted charge of Fontenelle Abbey. In 724, he took on the administration, together with his own, of the Dioceses of Paris and Bayeux.
At the end of his life, he retired to his monastery. He died on 9 April 730 at Jumieges and is interred in Notre-Dame. In the ninth century his relics were brought to Aspre in Belgium, to save them from profanation at the hands of the Norman invaders of the North of France. He is regarded as a saint, with a feast day of 9 April.

Selection of primary sources