Hugh of Amiens | |
---|---|
Rouen | |
Diocese | Archdiocese of Rouen |
Term ended | 1164 |
Predecessor | Geoffrey Brito |
Successor | Rotrou |
Other posts | Abbot of Reading, prior of Lewes, prior of Limoges |
Orders | |
Consecration | 1130 |
Personal details | |
Died | 11 November 1164 |
Buried | Rouen Cathedral |
Nationality | Picard-French |
Denomination | Catholic |
Hugh of Amiens (died 1164), monk of Cluny, prior of Limoges, prior of Lewes, abbot of Reading and archbishop of Rouen, was a 12th-century Picard-French Benedictine prelate.
Hugh was born in Laon late in the eleventh century. He belonged in all probability to the noble family of Boves, a theory to which his arms (an ox passant) give support. He was educated at Laon in the celebrated school of Anselm and Ralph, and became a monk of Cluny. A few years after his reception the abbot made him prior of Limoges, but he went to England about the same time, and became for a short time prior of Lewes, whence he was transferred in 1125 to the abbey of Reading. As Reading Abbey was a new foundation, Hugh was its first ever abbot.
While travelling abroad in 1129 he was elected to the archbishopric of Rouen and consecrated 14 September 1130. At this time he founded the abbey of St Martin of Aumale. In his province he was vigorous and strict, and tried for some time in vain to bring the powerful abbots under his control. He took part with Pope Innocent II against Anacletus, received Innocent at Rouen in 1131, and rejoined him at the council of Rheims in the same year, bringing him letters in which the king of England recognised him as lawful pope.