As the story goes, St. Hubert (Hubertus) was a Frankish noble-born in the 7th or early 8th century, He was the eldest son of Bertrand, Duke of Aquintaine, and heir to much wealth and hereditaments. Described as intelligent, physically handsome, energetic and personable, the descendant of the legendary Pharamond, King of Francs, was afforded the best education, military training of the time as well as ample time for leisure.
At an early age, Hubert was drawn to one of the leisurely activities of young nobles, La Chasse, or The Hunt. In fact, the hunt of animals was the primary activity in which he spent his days. His love for the chase turned to obsession, spending his days in the fields and woods, trapping and hunting. It is said that Hubertus was a renowned bowman, often exhibiting his marksmanship in competitions. He devoted most of his time, even on holy days, to the hunt, a sacrilege in the God-centered times of the Middle Ages. At the Court of Theuduric in Metz Hubert met Floribanne, daughter of a noble, who, while a pious and devoted Christian, also liked to ride and frequently accompanied Hubert on his hunts. They married but soon after Hubertus’ wife died giving birth to their son Floribert, and his grief prompted him to retreat what little time h already spent at court. He withdrew into the forests of the Ardennes and gave himself entirely up to La Chasse.
On that Good Friday morning, while the faithful were in church, Hubertus was hunting in the forest. As he pursued a magnificent stag, the animal turned and Hubertus was astounded to see a crucifix floating between its antlers. He heard a voice saying: “Hubertus unless thou turnest to the Lord and leadest a holy life, thou shalt quickly go down into Hell.” Hubertus dismounted and prostrated himself, and after asking “Lord, what wouldst Thou have me do?” is told, “Go and seek “Lambert”, and he will instruct you.”

Hubertus immediately relinquished his titles and set out to find the Bishop Lambert, who, directed him to go and live among the people and creatures of the nearby forest of the Ardennes, and to devote himself to prayer and study. Hubertus did so, freely walking amongst the pagans and bandits. Where other priests were killed or driven out, Hubertus, with his strength and prowess with a bow, won their respect, gradually converting them. He became an advocate for the people of the forest and his wise judgment and intercession was frequently sought in many matters, including those involving the forest, wildlife, and hunting, eventually rising to the rank of Bishop in the church. Hubertus had unusual healing powers which he used to relieve people of various afflictions, and these miraculous acts became widely known. The faithful began making pilgrimages to Hubertus’ Cathedral in Liege to seek his help, and many miraculous acts by his hand were chronicled. After Hubertus’ death miraculous events of healing were recorded at his tomb, leading to the eventual canonization of Hubertus to St. Hubertus. He is the patron saint of hunters, hunting dogs, archers and bowmen, and the inhabitants of the forest. St. Hubertus is also the patron saint of Liege and Saint-Lamberge, Belgium. His Feast Day is November 3rd. Highly venerated in the middle ages his name gave birth to many military orders including The Order of St. Hubertus, which was established in 1695 by Count Anton von Spork to honor the name and memory of St. Hubertus and to promote responsible and ethical hunting and wildlife conservation. This organization continues today as the International Order of St. Hubertus.

An interesting piece of trivia that would have been more commonly know to our ancestors as early as the 20th century is a tool/method for curing rabies known as “St Hubert’s keys.” They took the form of a bar, nail or cross that was either carried or attached to a wall of a home for added protection. A priest would prick the forehead of a person with rabies and a black bandage would be applied for nine days while the “key” was heated red and placed where the bite had occurred. This in theory may have helped if the heated key was applied immediately as it could cauterise and sterilize the wound, although the veracity of it is debated.