Charles-Hyacinthe Hugo - Works and Legacy

Works and Legacy

That Hugo was a diligent worker may be judged from the number of the books he published or prepared for publication. Aug. Digot says with reference to the History of Lorraine that it surpasses that of Dom Calmet, Abbot of Senones, whose style is heavy and diffuse.

In 1699 Hugo published a Refutation of the system of the trithiest Faydit on the Blessed Trinity; it was a solid work, according to Jean-Noël Paquot.

He is also the author of some books on the Order of Canons Regular, one of which is favourably referred to by Benedict XIV; likewise of several dissertations on seals, coins or medals, on persons and historical matters appertaining to the ducal house of Lorraine.

On 17 March 1708, he was made by Duke Leopold a member of his privy council and requested to write the history of Lorraine. Hugo set to work with his usual energy and the work was ready in 1713, but Leopold, fearing owing to Hugo's previous writings that this history might too much displease the royal house of France, asked Dom Calmet to write the history instead of Hugo. Hugo's "Vie de St. Norbert, fondateur des Prémontrés" (Luxembourg, 1704) is remarkable for the elegance of its style and the important documents it contains.

His two monumental works are:

1. Sacræ antiquitatis monumenta historica, dogmatica, diplomatica, notis illustrata, in two volumes. The first volume was published in 1725; the second, after Hugo's death, in 1744;
2. Sacri et Canonici Ordinis Præmonstratensis Annales, in two volumes, giving in alphabetical order the history of each Norbertine abbey.

There are two more volumes of probationes 'essays', such as charters etc., respecting each abbey. The third volume, with the title "Annales Ordinis Præmonstratensis Sæculum Primum (1120-1220)", which was to be followed by four more volumes, was ready for the press when Hugo died. After Hugo's death the Abbey of Étival was given in commendam to the Bishop of Toul, and for one reason or another the third volume was never printed.

Hugo's manuscripts, forming eighteen volumes in folio, each of from 500 to 600 pages, are now preserved in the seminary of Nancy. They are fully described by M. Vacant, professor at the seminary, in La Bibliothèque du Grand Séminaire de Nancy (1897).