St. Hubert Brooch (Stag)

Astonishingly, not an ad for Jägermeister at all – but a sign of St Hubert. Hubert (or Hubertus) was an historical 8th-century nobleman,  active in courtly circles. After his wife died in childbirth, Hubert retreated from the court, renounced his titles, and entered the priesthood. He rose in the administration of Maastricht-Liège under the mentorship of Lambert, and when Lambert was assassinated, Hubert was appointed Bishop of Maastricht. He was an effective administrator and evangelist among the unconverted inhabitants of the Ardennes.

Hubert’s burial place in the Benedictine Abbey of Amdain (Belgium) became a pilgrimage site quite early. Only in the 15th century, though, was his story expanded to include an incident first associated with St. Eustace. In this elaboration of his biography, when he lost his wife he first retreated to the forests of the Ardennes and devoted himself to hunting. He went into the forest on Good Friday (instead of to church), but he had a vision of a crucifix between the antlers of the stag he was pursuing, and a heavenly voice commanded him to leave off earthly pursuits and take up a holy life. As was reported earlier, he then began his religious career.

In the Middle Ages, because of his noble birth, Hubert was included among the military saints, and was venerated as one of the Four Holy Marshals, specially powerful intercessors close to God. He is the patron of hunting and hunters, dogs, and trappers.; he was invoked against rabies and dog bites. He is also the patron of mathematicians, opticians, and metalworkers.

Hubert’s feast day is May 3.

Our badge is copied from an undated example published by Mitchener. Similar badges published in the various Heilig en Profaans are dated to the second half of the fifteenth century.