Saints Eustace and Hubert

Eustace was a 2nd-century Roman martyr, making any physical link with Hertford rather unlikely. Legend says that Eustace was a Roman army officer who went hunting one day only to be confronted by a hart with the image of a crucifix between its antlers. From the cross, Jesus spoke to Eustace who converted to Christianity. After many trials and tribulations, Eustace was martyred by Emperor Hadrian. Eustace is celebrated with a feast day on 20 September, and is patron saint of hunters, firefighters, victims of torture and Madrid.

Hubert was a 7th-century Belgian saint whose tale of conversion is similar to Eustace’s, seeing a hart with a crucifix between its antlers while hunting. Hubert went on to be the first Bishop of Liège. He is commemorated with a feast day on 3 November, and is patron saint of hunters, mathematicians and Liège.

Both saints are symbolised by the hart with a cross between its antlers. We are unable to find any record of either Saints Eustace or Hubert ever having studied at Hertford College. Sometime after Elias de Hertford set up Hart Hall in 1282 its symbol became the popular mediaeval iconography of Saints Eustace and Hubert, and remains the arms of Hertford College. The alcoholic spirit Jägermeister also uses the same symbol.