Hugh was a staunch supporter of King Stephen, and passed much time in England during the civil wars. Early in 1137 Stephen went to Normandy, and when he had failed to capture Matilda's illegitimate half-brother, Robert, Earl of Gloucester, Hugh was one of his sureties that he would do Robert no further injury. It was by his intervention that the dispute between the king and the bishops regarding the custody of castles was settled at the council of Oxford in 1139, which Henry of Blois had summoned. Hugh also reconciled the Earl of Gloucester and the Count of Boulogne.