Hugh of Ibelin was an important noble in the crusader Kingdom of Jerusalem.
Background
Hugh was the eldest son of Barisan of Ibelin and Helvis of Ramla. He was old enough to witness charters in 1148, as was his younger brother Baldwin of Ibelin, which suggests he was born c. 1130-1133, as the male age of majority was fifteen.
After his father Barisan died in 1150, Helvis married the Constable of Jerusalem, Manasses of Hierges, who was one of the strongest supporters of Queen Melisende in the power struggle against Melisende’s son Baldwin III.
Career
Manasses was exiled in 1152 when Baldwin was victorious in this struggle, allowing Hugh to inherit Ramla from his mother. Hugh took part in the Siege of Ascalon in 1153, and in 1157 was captured in battle at Banias, being released probably the next year. In 1159 he visited the Principality of Antioch and met with Byzantine emperor Manuel I Comnenus, who had arrived to assert his suzerainty over the principality.
Hugh participated Amalric"s expedition to Egypt in 1167, and was responsible for building a bridge over the Nile.
The crusaders allied with the sultan against Shirkuh, the general of Nur ad-Din Zangi who was also fighting for control of Egypt, and Hugh was sent to protect Cairo along with the sultan"s son Kamil. Hugh was the first crusader ever to see the sultan"s palace.
At the siege of Bilbeis during the same Egyptian campaign, according to Ibelin family tradition, Hugh"s life was saved by Philip of Milly after breaking his leg and falling under his horse. Hugh died around 1169 during a pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela.
Another Hugh of Ibelin was the son of John of Ibelin, the Old Lord of Beirut, and the grand-nephew of this Hugh.