Hugh of Cluny

Who was Hugh of Cluny?

Hugh of Cluny was an Abbot of Cluny. He is sometimes referred to as "Hugh the Great," "Hugh of Semur" or Hugo van Cluny" and was canonized by the Roman Catholic Church as Saint Hugh. He was one of the most influential leaders of one of the most influential monastic orders of the Middle Ages.

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.