He belonged in all probability to the noble family of Boves, a theory to which his arms (an ox passant) give support.
This difficulty was overcome through a special dispensation from the pope, but Hugh thought it prudent to go in 1134 to the Council of Pisa, and on its conclusion to remain in Italy on legatine business for some time.
[1] He was recalled, however, by the murmuring of the nobles of his province and the personal complaints of Henry, and returned in 1135 in time, according to a letter preserved in the Historia Novella of William of Malmesbury, to attend the king, who had always respected him, on his deathbed at Colombières.
[1] Hugh was a staunch supporter of King Stephen, and passed much time in England during the civil wars.
It was by his intervention that the dispute between the king and the bishops regarding the custody of castles was settled at the council of Oxford in 1139, which Henry of Blois had summoned.