The Latin text of
William of Tyre's
History of Deeds Done Beyond the Sea, dated , calls him , without any geographical reference. William's history was translated into French in the early 13th century, by an anonymous author who added that Hugh was from "," “near Troyes." The 12th-century author
Walter Map also noted that Hugh was named "Payns, from a village of that name in Burgundy.” Hugh is therefore assumed to have come from the village of
Payns, about 10km from
Troyes, in
Champagne (eastern France). is mentioned as a witness to a donation by Count
Hugh of Champagne in a document of 1085–90, indicating that the man was at least sixteen by this date—a legal adult and thus able to bear witness to legal documents—and so born no later than 1070. The same name appears on a number of other charters up to 1113 also relating to Count Hugh of Champagne, suggesting that or was a member of the Count's court. By the year 1113, he was married to Elisabeth de Chappes, who bore him at least one child, Thibaud, later abbot of the Abbaye de la Colombe at
Sens. The documents span Hugh's lifetime and the disposition of his property after his death.
Bernard of Clairvaux, who favoured the Order and helped to compose its
Latin Rule, also had the support of Hugh of Champagne. The
Latin Rule of the Order was confirmed at the
Council of Troyes. A Templar commandery was eventually built at Payns. This is considered to be additional circumstantial evidence that Hugh was from the area. Other suggestions that Hugh came from
Viviers in the modern of
Ardèche) or from
Nocera dei Pagani in Campania can “reasonably be dismissed.” == The foundation of the Order ==