Noble family House of Burgundy Parents Odo II, Duke of Burgundy Role Military Commander | Name Hugh Duke Mother Marie of Champagne | |
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Spouse(s) Alice of Lorraine
Beatrice of Albon Father Odo II, Duke of Burgundy Died August 25, 1192, Acre, Israel Children Odo III, Duke of Burgundy, Guigues VI of Viennois, Marguerite of Burgundy, Countess of Savoy Grandchildren Hugh IV, Duke of Burgundy Similar People Robert de Sable, Richard I of England, Saladin, Garnier de Nablus | ||
Grandparents Hugh II, Duke of Burgundy | ||
Hugh III (1142 – 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.
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. The town fell and with it, its garrison, commanded by Odo, Hugh's heir. 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. When Philip returned to France, he left Hugh in charge of the French troops. 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.
Marriage and issue
He was married twice:
Firstly, in 1165, to Alice (1145–1200), daughter of Matthias I, Duke of Lorraine; he repudiated her in 1183. By his first marriage, he produced:
Secondly, in 1183, to Beatrice,(1161–1228), Countess of Albon and Dauphine of Viennois, daughter of Guigues, Count of Albon and Dauphin of Viennois. By his second marriage, he produced: