Hugh VIII of Lusignan the Old

Hugh VIII, called the Old, of Lusignan was a Poitevin baron, eldest son of Hugh VII of Lusignan. On his father's death in 1151 he inherited Lusignan, Couhé and Château-Larcher, and through his wife Burgundia of Rancon he gained further castles in Poitou and Saintonge.

He took the cross in 1163 and led a crusader contingent to the Holy Land. In 1164 his troops joined a surprise attack on Nur ad-Din's camp, and on 11 August 1164 Nur ad-Din captured him at the Battle of Harim and took him to Aleppo. His sons Guy and Aimery later ruled Jerusalem and Cyprus.