Nonant died on 27 March 1198.[1] Before his death he was clothed in the habit of a Benedictine monk by the monks of Bec Abbey[2] and he died at Bec.[3] On his deathbed, he confessed a long record of sins, which deterred any priest from absolving him.[14] The historian A. L. Poole described Hugh as a "dexterous and unprincipled politician who had inherited the diplomatic gifts of his uncle."[15] Another historian, John Gillingham, stated that Nonant was King "John's chief propagandist and, in his spare time, bishop of Coventry".[14] Hugh's brother was Robert Brito, who was captured by King Richard in 1194 and starved to death because Robert had earlier refused to be a hostage for the payment of Richard's ransom.[16]