Hugh the Black

Who was Hugh the Black?

Hugh the Black was Duke of Burgundy from 923 until his death in 952. He was a Bosonid through his father, who was the younger brother of Boso of Provence.

Hugh was the son of Richard of Autun, Duke of Burgundy, and Adelaide of Auxerre. He succeeded his older brother Rudolph as Duke of Burgundy, when Rudolph was elected King of West Francia, as Raoul, in 923.

Following Raoul's death in 936, Hugh may have had aspirations to follow his brother onto the throne and refused to recognize Louis IV as king of West Francia. As a result, Louis sent Hugh the Great who captured Auxerre and Sens. The Duchy of Burgundy was divided between Hugh the Great and Hugh the Black.

It is unknown whether Hugh married. He probably died without living offspring, as he was succeeded as Duke of Burgundy by Gilbert of Chalon, who held the title of Duke of Burgundy jure uxoris, his wife Ermengard being the daughter of Richard of Autun, and sister of Hugh.