E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Hubert (h silent),
in Shakespeare’s King John, is Hubert de Burgh, Justice of England, created Earl of Kent. He died 1243.
1
St. Hubert. Patron saint of huntsmen. He was son of Bertrand, Duc d’Acquitaine, and cousin of King Pepin. Hubert was so fond of the chase that he neglected his religious duties for his favourite amusement, till one day a stag bearing a crucifix menaced him with eternal perdition unless he reformed. Upon this the merry huntsman entered a cloister, became in time Bishop of Liège, and the apostle of Ardennes and Brabant. Those who were descended of his race were supposed to possess the power of curing the bite of mad dogs.
2
St. Hubert in Christian art is represented sometimes as a bishop with a miniature stag resting on the book in his hand, and sometimes as a noble huntsman kneeling to the miraculous crucifix borne by the stag.
