[1] On the occasion of Hugh's creation as a count in the spring of 1167, the chronicler pseudo-Falcandus notes that he was "a man expert in every virtue who had recently arrived from France".
[b] He mentions that he was a cousin (or relative) of the queen-mother Margaret, then acting as regent for her son, William II, and of the chancellor, Stephen du Perche.
Stephen negotiated his release by resigning his chancellorship and going into exile, while the rebels allowed Hugh to stay on in Sicily.
It was thought that Hugh would not pose a danger to the rebels—described by pseudo-Falcandus as "the great men of the court"[c]—and would ease the queen's anger.
[1] In February 1177, Hugh was one of the barons, churchmen and high officials present as witnesses when William II granted a dower to his queen, Joanna of England.