Hugh of Saint Omer

Hugh of Fauquembergues, also known as Hugh of St Omer, Hugh of Falkenberg, or Hugh of Falchenberg (; died in 1105 or 1106) was Prince of Galilee from 1101 to his death. He was Lord of Fauquembergues before joining the First Crusade. Baldwin I of Jerusalem granted him Galilee after its first prince, Tancred, who was Baldwin's opponent, had voluntarily renounced it. Hugh assisted Baldwin against the Fatimids and made raids into Seljuk territories. He established the castles of Toron and Chastel Neuf (at present-day Tebnine and Hunin, respectively). He died fighting against Toghtekin, Atabeg of Damascus. Early life Hugh's parentage is unknown, but William of Tyre called him "Hugo de Sancto Aldemaro", suggesting that he was descended from the powerful family of the hereditary castellans of Saint-Omer. He was the lord of the nearby Fauquembergues. A contemporary poem written by an unknown author listed Hugh among the first crusaders from the Diocese of Thérouanne. Though no primary sources recorded in whose retinue he reached the Holy Land, it is thought that he accompanied either Baldwin of Boulogne or Robert II of Flanders. Baldwin and his elder brother, Godfrey of Bouillon, Duke of Lower Lorraine, departed for the crusade on 15August 1096, and RobertII of Flanders about a month later. After Baldwin seized Edessa on 9 March 1098, Hugh settled in the county that developed around the town. He was one of Baldwin's most trusted retainers. After Godfrey of Bouillon, who had become the ruler of Jerusalem, died on 18July 1100, Baldwin sent Hugh to Jerusalem to secure his claim to Godfrey's inheritance. Hugh and Robert, Bishop of Lydda and Ramla took control of the Tower of David, enabling Baldwin to enter Jerusalem on 9November.