Hugh III, Duke of Burgundy

Hugh III (1142[1] – August 25, 1192) was duke of Burgundy between 1162 and 1192. Hugh was the eldest son of Duke Odo II and Marie, daughter of Theobald II, Count of Champagne.[2]

Hugh III
Seal of Hugh III of Burgundy
Duke of Burgundy
Reign	1162–1192
Predecessor	Odo II
Successor	Odo III
Born	1142
Died	25 August 1192 (aged 49–50) Acre
Spouse	Alice of Lorraine ​ ​ (m. 1165; div. 1183)​ Beatrice of Albon ​ (m. 1183)​
Issue Detail	Odo III, Duke of Burgundy Guy VI of Viennois Margaret of Burgundy
House	Burgundy
Father	Odo II, Duke of Burgundy
Mother	Marie of Champagne

The rule of Hugh III marked the ending of a period of relative peace in the duchy of Burgundy. Hugh was a belligerent man and soon was involved in conflicts against King Louis VII of France over their borders. When Philip Augustus succeeded Louis in 1180, Hugh seized the opportunity and forced several men to change their allegiance to Burgundy. Philip II was not happy with the loss of his vassals and invaded the duchy, besieging Châtillon in 1186.[3] The town fell and with it, its garrison, commanded by Odo, Hugh's heir.[3] A peace was negotiated and Hugh had to pay a high ransom for his son and give up ambitions over French territory.

In 1187, Hugh transferred the capital of Burgundy to Dijon, and endeavoured to turn the city into a major commercial centre.

Hugh then turned his energies to the Holy Land, embarking in the Third Crusade in the retinue of Philip II.[4] When Philip returned to France, he left Hugh in charge of the French troops.[5] Hugh played a major role in the victory of the Battle of Arsuf (September 7, 1191) and at the Siege of Acre, where he died August 1192.[4]

Marriage and issue

He was married twice:

Firstly, in 1165, to Alice (1145–1200),[2] daughter of Matthias I, Duke of Lorraine; he repudiated her in 1183. By his first marriage, he produced:

• Odo III (1166–1218),[2] his successor in the Duchy
• Alexander (1170–1206), Lord of Montaigu, married Beatrix of Montaigu[2]
• Douce (1175 – c.1219), married in 1196 Simon of Semur (d. 1219), Lord of Luzy
• Alice (b. 1177), married Béraud VII, Lord of Mercœur

Secondly, in 1183, to Beatrice, (1161–1228),[2] Countess of Albon and Dauphine of Viennois, daughter of Guigues, Count of Albon and Dauphin of Viennois. By his second marriage, he produced:

• Guigues VI (1184–1237), Dauphin of Viennois[2]
• Mahaut (1190–1242), married in 1214 John I, Count of Châlon and Auxonne (1190–1267)
• Margaret (1192–1243), married in 1222 Amadeus IV (1197–1253), Count of Savoy[lower-alpha 1][6]

See also

• Dukes of Burgundy family tree

Notes

1. According Ernest Petit, Amadeus married Anna, a daughter of Guigues VI Viennois, while Jean-Pierre Moret de Bourchenu Valbonnais states Amadeus married Margaret.[6]

References

1. Suger 2018, p. 153.
2. Bouchard 1987, p. 256.
3. Fawtier 1960, p. 131.
4. Painter 1969, p. 85.
5. Gillingham 1999, p. 164.
6. Cox 1974, p. 392.

Sources

• Bouchard, Constance Brittain (1987). Sword, Miter, and Cloister: Nobility and the Church in Burgundy, 980–1198. Cornell University Press.
• Cox, Eugene L (1974). The Eagles of Savoy. Princeton University Press. ISBN 0691052166.
• Fawtier, Robert (1960). Capetian Kings of France: Monarchy and Nation, 987-1328. Translated by Butler, Lionel; Adam, R.J. Macmillan.
• Gillingham, John (1999). Richard I. Yale University Press.
• Painter, Sidney (1969). "The Third Crusade: Richard the Lionhearted and Philip Augustus". In Setton, Kenneth M.; Wolff, Robert Lee; Hazard, Harry W. (eds.). The Later Crusades, 1189-1311. University of Wisconsin Press.
• Suger (2018). Selected Works of Abbot Suger of Saint Denis. Translated by Cusamano, Richard; Whitmore, Eric. Catholic University of America Press.