Hugh VIII of Lusignan was the eldest son of Hugh VII and of Sarrasine de Lezay. He became lord of Lusignan and Count of La Marche on his father's death in 1151. Born some time after 1125 he died in 1171. Hugh VII of Lusignan, called le brun (The Brown) (1065-1151) was the son of Hugh VI of Lusignan. ... The Lusignan family originated in Poitou in western France, and in the late 12th century came to rule the Kingdom of Jerusalem and the Kingdom of Cyprus. ... Events Ghazni is burned by the princes of Ghur Geoffrey of Anjou dies, and succeeded by his son Henry, aged 18. ... Events May 23 - Lothair of Saxony becomes Holy Roman Emperor on the death of Henry V. War ends between Toulouse and Provence. ... // Events Saladin abolishes the Fatimid caliphate, restoring Sunni rule in Egypt. ...

He married Bourgogne de Rancon, dame de Fontenay, daughter of Geoffroi Fossessie, seigneur de Taillebourg: she died in 1169. Events Nur ad-Din invades Egypt, and his nephew Saladin becomes the sultan over the territory conquered by Nur ad-Din. ...

His children were:

Hugues, who died in 1169, leaving an infant son Hugues who was to become Hugh IX of Lusignan.

Amalric, born about 1145, died 1205. He succeeded his younger brother Guy as ruler of Cyprus; later he was crowned king of Cyprus, the first of the Lusignan dynasty, and eventually also became king of Jerusalem.

Guy, died 1194. He was regent and afterwards king of Jerusalem. After the loss of Jerusalem he became lord of Cyprus.

Raoul I of Issoudun, born 1160, died (at Acre, Palestine) in 1217.

Pierre, born after 1162.

Guillaume, born after 1163.