Quick Facts
Biography
Hugh V was the Count of Maine from 1069 until 1072.
Life
He was the son of Azzo d'Este and Gersendis (a sister of Count Hugh IV). In 1070, the citizens of Le Mans and some of the Manceaux barons revolted against Norman control. After securing the southern border of Normandy and expelling the Normans, they invited young Hugh V to rule them as Count of Maine. They soon realized, however, he was incapable of ruling Maine and began to detest him. Orderic Vitalis said of him "he was, indeed, an imbecile, a coward, and an idler, and totally unfit to hold the reins of government in so high a station." After a short time holding the countship, his cousin Elias convinced Hugh to sell him the county, which he did.
Family
In 1077 Hugh married Gersent, mistress of Geoffroy de Mayenne She was a daughter of Robert Guiscard, but after discovering he could not manage her either he repudiated her, was promptly excommunicated by Pope Urban and died childless.