Hugh of Cluny

For the later abbot with the same name, see Hugh II of Cluny.

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	28 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

Hugh of Cluny (May 13, 1024 – April 28, 1109) was an Abbot of Cluny, who is sometimes referred to as "Hugh the Great" or "Hugh of Semur". He was one of the most influential leaders of one of the most influential monastic orders of the Middle Ages.

Biography

Abbot Hugh built the third abbey church at Cluny, the largest structure in Europe for many centuries, with funds provided by Ferdinand I of León. He was the driving force behind the Cluniac monastic movement during the last quarter of the 11th century, which had priories throughout Southern France and northern Spain. Hugh's relationship to Ferdinand I and Alphonso VI of León and Castile, as well as his influence upon Pope Urban II, who had been prior at Cluny under Hugh, made Hugh one of the most powerful and influential figures of the late 11th century. As the godfather of Henry IV, he also played a role as a mediator during the conflict between Gregory VII and Henry IV, though he was not successful.

His feast day is April 29.

External links

• Catholic Encyclopedia: St. Hugh the Great