Hugh			 November 18
Bishop of Lincoln
Hugh is one of the most attractive and able figures of English church life in the Middle Ages. He was born about 1140 in Burgundy. On the death of Hugh’s mother, his father retired with him to a monastery, where the boy was educated and brought up to enter the religious life. He began as a member of an order of canons, but then joined the much stricter Carthusians. He was content to be a Carthusian monk, leading a largely solitary life at the main Carthusian house, the Grande Chartreuse, of which he was the procurator. After much persuasion he went to England in 1175, at the request of King Henry II, to take charge of a Carthusian community at Witham in Somerset. The king had tried unsuccessfully to establish the community in partial reparation for the death of Thomas Becket (see 29 December). One of the reasons Witham had not flourished was that Henry had seized the property of a number of peasants in order to build the abbey. 
Hugh addressed his problems with a fiery good humour and set his house in order. He insisted that the peasants displaced by the foundation of Witham Priory should be compensated by the king to the last penny. When Hugh began to rebuild the abbey, the people of Witham helped him with materials and labour, working alongside the new prior, who insisted on helping with all the physical work. Soon the Carthusian abbey of Witham had become a thriving religious house.
Henry II acquired a great respect for Hugh and in 1186 appointed him as bishop of Lincoln. Hugh would not accept this appointment until he knew that he had been elected by the church. One of his first tasks was the rebuilding of part of Lincoln Cathedral, and he took an active part in this work. His appointment did not deter him from criticism of the king. He vigorously upheld the rights of the common people against the king’s foresters, who had been entitled to torture and kill any trespassers they found in the vast royal hunting-grounds. Later, when King Richard demanded taxes to pay for his war in France, Hugh took a leading part in refusing payment.
Hugh was famous for his delight in playing with children and in visiting the poor or the isolated. He did much to promote education, and under his guidance the Lincoln schools gained considerable respect. He built a hospital for lepers, helping to nurse them at times. As a bishop, Hugh continued to live a disciplined life. His cheerfulness, humility and tact made him a very attractive person. He worked hard at preaching and had great courage in taking a stand on what he believed to be right. In this he earned the respect of three kings, Henry, Richard and John, all of whom listened to Hugh. When he died, King John was one of the pall bearers at his funeral. All his life Hugh loved birds, and at Lincoln he was famous for his pets, amongst them a tame swan, which became one of his emblems. 
While returning from a visit to France in 1200, Hugh contracted a fever and died in London. His body was taken to Lincoln and buried in the cathedral.
For Liturgical Use
Hugh was born about 1140 in Burgundy. He became a Carthusian monk and in 1175 took charge of the Carthusian house at Witham in Somerset. In 1186 he became bishop of Lincoln and died there in 1200. He revived schools in the diocese and restored and enlarged the cathedral. Hugh was renowned for his humility, tact and strength of character. He upheld the rights of the poor, even against the king when necessary. He built a hospital for lepers and visited the poor. All his life Hugh loved birds and at Lincoln he was famous for his pets. 
Sentence
The Lord is the light of my salvation, whom then shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life, of whom then shall I be afraid?		Psalm 27:1
Collects
Holy and eternal God,
you gave to your servant Hugh
gifts of wisdom and cheerful boldness;
grant that we may without fear
speak the truth in love
and defend the weak and helpless;
through Jesus Christ our Saviour.
Blessed are you, loving God,
in Hugh the conquering lion, the peppery monk,
who fought injustice in the king, in the landowners,
in rioting mobs,
and won;
whether we win or fail,
may we take courage from him and be strong.
Psalms	40:5-14	119:41-48
Readings
Micah 6:6-8		Walk humbly with God
Ephesians 6:10-13		Our true enemies
Luke 9:51-56		Jesus and power
Post Communion Sentence
Jesus said, “Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all.”	Mark 9:35