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Hugh of Avranches, 1st earl of Chester
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Hugh of Avranches, 1st earl of Chester

Norman noble
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Also known as: Hugh of Avranches, 1st Earl of Chester, Vicomte d’Avranches, Hugh the Fat, Hugh the Wolf, Hugues Lupus, Hugues le Gros
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Article History
Quick Facts
Also called:
Hugh The Fat, or Hugh The Wolf
French:
Hugues Le Gros, French-
Latin:
Hugues Lupus
Born:
c. 1047
Died:
July 27, 1101
See all related content

Hugh of Avranches, 1st earl of Chester (born c. 1047—died July 27, 1101) , 1st earl of Chester, was the son of Richard, Viscount d’Avranches, and probable companion of William the Conqueror, who made him Earl of Chester in 1071. (He inherited his father’s viscountship sometime after 1082.) He had special privileges in his earldom, and he held land in 20 counties. Hugh was called Le Gros because of his great bulk and Lupus because of his ferocity. He regarded Saint Anselm as his friend, and he showed the customary liberality to religious houses. His life was mainly spent fighting in Wales and in Normandy. Hugh’s only son Richard, who was childless, drowned in the White Ship (see William the Aetheling) in November 1120.

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