Hugh le Brun, Earl of March

Also known as: Hugh le Brun / Hugh le Brun earle of March · Family: Poitevin · Role: earl · First appears: King John 6

In 1202, Hugh le Brun, Earl of March, had been promised in marriage to Isabella of Angoulême before King John was proposed to her, and he consequently bore an inward displeasure towards the English king. He joined Arthur of Brittany’s revolt, helped the people of Poitou rise against King John, and supported Arthur as he took control of Touraine and Anjou under a grant from Philip II of France.

At Mirabeau, Hugh was captured with Arthur and other leaders when King John defeated the assembled forces. King John later released him from captivity, though the release was said to be “to his great trouble and hinderance.” By c. 1204, Hugh was a chief leader, with William de Roches, of the faction holding with the French king, opposing Robert de Turnham and his forces; Savary de Mauléon and Gerard de Athie fought on the opposing side.