Hugh (1057 – October 18, 1101),[1] called the Great (French: Hugues le Grand, Latin: Hugo Magnus) was the first count of Vermandois from the House of Capet.

[7]In response to this message the emperor sent instructions to his nephew John Komnenos, the doux (governor) of Dyrrhachium, and Nicholas Maurokatakalon, commander of the Byzantine fleet, to look out for Hugh and to inform him immediately when he arrived.

"[8] Whilst sailing the Adriatic Sea from Bari towards Illyricum, Hugh's fleet was overtaken by a heavy storm and most ships were lost.

[9] The German historian Hans Eberhard Mayer argued that Alexius was fortunate that the first contingent of the crusader army to arrive in Constantinople, led by Hugh, was very small and easy to control.

Alexius 'discreetly but unmistakably' restricted Hugh's freedom of movement 'until he was ready to swear that all territories which had belonged to Byzantium before the Turkish invasions would be restored.

Godfrey, however, refused, saying: "you left your own country as a ruler [...] with all that wealth and a strong army; now from the heights you've brought yourself to the level of a slave.

"[11] After the Crusaders had successfully made their way across Seljuk territory and, in 1098, captured the city after siege of Antioch, Hugh was sent back to Constantinople to appeal for reinforcements from Alexius.