Hugh of Cluny facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Saint Hugh of Cluny
Hugh of Cluny, Henry IV, Holy Roman Emperor, and Matilda of Tuscany
Born	1024 Semur-en-Brionnais, Brionnais (now Saône-et-Loire), France
Died	29 April 1109 Cluny, Brionnais (now Saône-et-Loire), France
Venerated in	Roman Catholic Church
Canonized	6 January 1120 by Pope Callixtus II
Feast	29 April
Patronage	Against fever

Saint Hugh of Cluny (born May 13, 1024, died April 29, 1109) was a very important leader in the Middle Ages. He was known as Hugh the Great or Hugh of Semur. From 1049 until he died, he was the Abbot of Cluny. An abbot is like the head of a monastery. Hugh was one of the most powerful figures in monastic orders, which are groups of monks living by special rules.

Hugh's Early Life and Education

Pope Urban II consecrated the altar of Cluny in the presence of Hugh.

Hugh came from a very noble family in Burgundy, France. He was the oldest son of Seigneur Dalmas I of Semur. His mother was Aremberge of Vergy.

His father wanted Hugh to become a knight. But Hugh did not want to be a knight. So, his father sent him to his great-uncle, Hugh, Bishop of Auxerre.

There, Hugh prepared to become a priest. He studied at the monastery school of St. Marcellus.

Becoming an Abbot

When Hugh was 14, he joined the Cluny monastery. At 15, he made his monastic vows. Later, he became a prior, which is a high-ranking monk.

In 1048, Hugh traveled to Rome. He went with the Bishop of Toul. This bishop later became Pope Leo IX.

The next year, Hugh was chosen as the abbot of Cluny. He took over from Odilo. In 1049, he attended the Council of Reims. He also went to the Council of Tours in 1054.

In 1058, he was in Florence. He was with Pope Stephen IX when the Pope passed away.

Building and Expanding Cluny

Abbot Hugh oversaw the building of the third abbey church at Cluny. This church was the largest building in Europe for many centuries. Ferdinand I of León provided money for its construction.

In October 1085, Pope Urban II dedicated the main altar. Pope Urban II had once been a prior at Cluny under Hugh.

In 1089, Hugh started the Priory of St Pancras. This was the first Cluniac monastery in England.

Hugh also helped spread the Cluniac order. Clementia of Burgundy gave him the monastery of St. Bertin. This helped bring monastic reform to Flanders.

Hugh's Influence and Diplomacy

Hugh was very influential in politics. He had strong connections with kings. He helped Alfonso VI of León get out of prison.

His close relationship with Pope Urban II made Hugh very powerful. Pope Urban II had been a monk at Cluny.

Hugh was also the godfather of Henry IV. He tried to help settle a conflict between Pope Gregory VII and Henry IV. However, he was not successful.

Hugh also worked as a diplomat for the church. He traveled to Germany and Hungary.

Later Life and Legacy

Abbot Hugh passed away on April 28, 1109. He died in the Lady Chapel at Cluny.

Many of his holy items were lost or destroyed in 1575. His feast day is celebrated on April 29.