Hugo of Monceaux

Hugo of Monceaux a distinguished French divine, was born in the early part of the 12th century. He was first monk at Vezelay, then abbé of St. Germain (1162). He was consecrated by pope Alexander III, April 21, 1163. The pretensions of bishop Maurice, of Paris, to assist in the ceremony were energetically opposed by Hugo, and this occasioned a controversy, of which a summary was published by Hugo. It forms a very interesting document of his time (printed in the collection of Andre Duchesne, vol. 4). In the same year (May 19) Hugo assisted at the Council of Tours, where he continued the controversy with Maurice, which was finally brought before the pope, who decided in favor of the monk. In 1165 (Aug. 22) Hugo was one of the abbes who presided at the baptism of the royal infant, later Philip Augustus. He was also about this time entrusted with various ecclesiastical offices, and in 1179 he attended the Council of Latran. He died Mar. 27, 1182. — Hoefer, Nouv. Biogr. Géneralé, 25, 446; list. Litt. de la France, 13, 615; Gallia Christiana, 7 col. 442. (J. H.W.)