On his father's death in 1153, he became heir to extensive estates. In France, these included the hereditary viscounties of
Avranches,
Bessin, and
Val de Vire, as well as the honours of
St Sever and
Briquessart. In England and Wales, there was the
earldom of Chester with its associated honours. Together, they made him one of the most important Anglo-Norman landholders when he was declared of age in 1162 and took possession. He quickly took his place among King Henry II's magnates, being present at
Dover in 1163 for the renewal of the Anglo-Flemish alliance and in 1164 at the
Council of Clarendon. In 1173, however, he joined the
revolt of the king's sons and led the rebels in
Brittany. After sending an army of
Brabantines, who forced the rebels to retreat into the castle of
Dol, in August 1173 Henry arrived in person to lead the siege. Hugh and his companions, with no food left, surrendered after being promised no executions or mutilations. Held prisoner in various castles, he made his peace with Henry and was one of the witnesses of the
Treaty of Falaise in October 1174 that ended hostilities. At the Council of
Northampton in January 1177 his lands were restored, but not his castles, and in March he was a witness to Henry's arbitration between the kings of
Castile and
Navarre. Then in May, at the Council of
Windsor, Henry restored his castles and ordered him to Ireland. There is no record of him gaining any military successes or grants of land there. He died on 30 June 1181 at
Leek in
Staffordshire and was buried beside his father on the south side of the chapter house of St Werburgh's Abbey in Chester, now
Chester Cathedral. His successor was his only legitimate son. ==Benefactions==