Hugh inherited large estates in East Anglia on the death of his brother William in 1120, and enjoyed the favour of Henry I. At first a supporter of Stephen during this king's struggle with the empress Matilda, Hugh was rewarded with the earldom of Norfolk before 1141. After having fought for the king at the Battle of Lincoln the earl deserted him, assumed a position of armed neutrality during the general anarchy, and then assisted Henry II in his efforts to obtain the throne.
This king confirmed him in the possession of his earldom; but becoming restless under the rule of law initiated by Henry, he participated in the revolt of 1173, which so far as England was concerned centred round his possessions. Though defeated and compelled to surrender his castles, Bigod kept his lands and his earldom, and lived at peace with Henry II until his death, which probably took place in Palestine.
He married twice. He first wife, Juliana, was the daughter of Aubrey de Vere, 2nd Earl of Oxford, and the mother of his successor, Roger Bigod, 2nd Earl of Norfolk. His second wife was Gundreda, daughter of Roger, earl of Warwick.
Hugh Bigod (d. 1266) was Justiciar of England from 1258-1260. He was the younger son of the 3rd Earl of Norfolk (above).
In 1258 the Provisions of Oxford established a baronial government of which Hugh's elder brother Roger Bigod, 2nd Earl of Norfolk was a leading member, and Hugh was appointed Chief Justiciar. He also had wardship of the Tower of London, and, briefly, of Dover Castle. But at the end of 1260 or in early 1261 he resigned these offices, apparently due to dissatisfaction with the new government. Thus in 1263 he joined the royalists, and was present on that side at the Battle of Lewes.
He married first Joanna Bunet, then Joan de Stuteville. His son Roger Bigod, 4th Earl of Norfolk subsequently became Earl of Norfolk.