Before his father passed he was married to Odette of Champagne, daughter of Odo II of Champlitte (who died shortly after taking part in the siege of Constantinople).
[1] Before 1226, Ferdinand, Count of Flanders had been held captive by Louis, future king of France.
For some of this time, Hughes resisted his obligations as vassal of Ferdinand, but to avoid war eventually decided to again accept the rule of the count.
This oath was signed by Arnold of Oudenaarde, Adam of Milly, Walter of Ghistelles, William of Bethune, Gislebert of Sottegem, Rase of Gavre, Walter of Formeselles, John of Mechelen, lord of Witte, Malin of Meterne, and Eustache, chamberlain of Flanders.
After that affair, Hugh concentrated less on political acts, and was active as a philanthropist in support of nearby religious groups.