Hugh I of Ghent
Encyclopedia
Hugh I, of Ghent was lord of Heusden, Bornhem, and Saint-Jean Steene, Chatelain of Ghent. Hugh was the eldest (of 8) child of Zeger III of Ghent
and Beatrix of Heusden.
and the title of Lord of Heusden on September, 21 1223, and shortly after succeeded his father as lord of Bornheim, of Saint-Jean Steen and as chatellenie of Ghent. He continued his families support for the abbey of Saint Bavo
. Before his father passed he was married to Odette of Champagne, daughter of Odo II of Champlitte
(who died shortly after taking part in the siege of Constantinople). Thus, from his wife, Hugh gained lordship of the village of Champlitte, which he sold to William of Vergy, brother of Alice of Vergy
, duchess consort of Burgundy. About the same time (March 1228), he established some taxes and corresponding rights to the inhabitants of Baesrode Saint Marie, which outlined some of the rights and duties of citizens and public officials.
. For some of this time, Hughes resisted his obligations as vassal of Ferdinand, but to avoid war eventually decided to again accept the rule of the count. His oath of fealty held that he would repay the count what he was owed, and if Hugh or his brothers went to war against the count, he would be seized and imprisoned until his debts were repaid. This oath was signed by Arnold of Oudenaarde, Adam of Milly, Walter of Ghistelles, William of Bethune, Gislebert of Sottegem, Rase of Gavre, Walter of Formeselles, John of Mechelen, lord of Witte, Malin of Meterne, and Eustache, chamberlain of Flanders.
Zeger III of Ghent
Zeger III of Ghent was the lord of Heusden, of Bornhem, and of Saint-Jean Steen, and the Châtelain of Ghent. He was the second son of Zeger II, Lord of Ghent and Petronella of Coutrai. His older brother, Arnold, died before 1190, leaving him the heat to the estate of his parents. He took his...
and Beatrix of Heusden.
Early Lordship
He was knighted before 1218 and took the residence at the castle at HeusdenHeusden
Heusden is a municipality and a city in the South of the Netherlands. It is located between the cities Waalwijk and 's-Hertogenbosch.- Population centres :...
and the title of Lord of Heusden on September, 21 1223, and shortly after succeeded his father as lord of Bornheim, of Saint-Jean Steen and as chatellenie of Ghent. He continued his families support for the abbey of Saint Bavo
Saint Bavo Cathedral
thumb|right|225px|Sint-Baafs CathedralThe Saint Bavo Cathedral is the seat of the diocese of Ghent. It is named for Saint Bavo of Ghent....
. Before his father passed he was married to Odette of Champagne, daughter of Odo II of Champlitte
Odo II of Champlitte
Odo or Eudes II of Champlitte was the first son of Odo I of Champlitte and a grandson of Hugh, Count of Champagne, although Hugh disowned Odo I. Along with his brother, William of Champlitte, Odo was a prominent leader of the fourth crusade. He was injured in the siege of Constantinople and died...
(who died shortly after taking part in the siege of Constantinople). Thus, from his wife, Hugh gained lordship of the village of Champlitte, which he sold to William of Vergy, brother of Alice of Vergy
Alice of Vergy
Alice de Vergy was duchess consort of Burgundy as the second spouse of Eudes III, Duke of Burgundy. She was regent the of Burgundy during the minority of her son 1218–28....
, duchess consort of Burgundy. About the same time (March 1228), he established some taxes and corresponding rights to the inhabitants of Baesrode Saint Marie, which outlined some of the rights and duties of citizens and public officials.
Involvement with Ferdinand, Count of Flanders
Before 1226, Ferdinand, Count of Flanders had been held captive by Louis, future king of FranceLouis VIII of France
Louis VIII the Lion reigned as King of France from 1223 to 1226. He was a member of the House of Capet. Louis VIII was born in Paris, France, the son of Philip II Augustus and Isabelle of Hainaut. He was also Count of Artois, inheriting the county from his mother, from 1190–1226...
. For some of this time, Hughes resisted his obligations as vassal of Ferdinand, but to avoid war eventually decided to again accept the rule of the count. His oath of fealty held that he would repay the count what he was owed, and if Hugh or his brothers went to war against the count, he would be seized and imprisoned until his debts were repaid. This oath was signed by Arnold of Oudenaarde, Adam of Milly, Walter of Ghistelles, William of Bethune, Gislebert of Sottegem, Rase of Gavre, Walter of Formeselles, John of Mechelen, lord of Witte, Malin of Meterne, and Eustache, chamberlain of Flanders.
Later years
After that affair, Hugh concentrated less on political acts, and was active as a philanthropist in support of nearby religious groups. Among those receiving gifts were the Abbey of Our Lady of Biloke in Ghent in 1230 and another gift to the Abbey of Saint Bavo in 1231. By his death in 1232, Hugh had fully establish himself at Heusdan, which was to be the home of many of his decedents.Family
By his wife, Odette of Champagne, Hugh had numerous children:- Hugh II, of Ghent, lord of Heusden, Bornhem, and Chatelain of Ghent, married Marie of Gavre, daughter of Rasse of Gavre.
- Walter of GhentWalter of GhentWalter of Ghent was the second son of Hugues I and Odette de Champagne, daughter of Odo II of Champlitte. Hugues married Lady Avezoete, daughter of Abraham and perhaps of the house of Maelstede. Although his brother inherited the lordship of Heusden and Bornhem, he received the lordship of Sint...
, called Villain, lord of Saint-Jean Steene, married to lady Avezoete, daughter of Alexander ser Braemszoon, a wealthy textile merchant - Ziger of Ghent, married to Alice, lady of Saint-Sepulcher and of Chanlot
- Philippe of Ghent
- Guillaume of Ghent, Doyen of the church of Saint Pierre in Lille
- Another Daughter