St. Hubert's Rangers
St. Hubert's Rangers
Brotherhood of the Medieval Hunt
Brotherhood of the Medieval Hunt
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About Us
About Us
St. Hubert's Rangers is an international, online brotherhood of individuals who are interested in the anachronism of medieval hunters. Rangers research all aspects of the daily lives of medieval hunters, and recreate their clothing, accoutrements and hunting equipment. A ranger's persona could be that of anyone who may have hunted for sport or necessity in Western Europe in the second half of the Middle Ages, such as: a nobleman, forester, huntsman, poacher, or outlaw. For our purposes, a hunter is defined as anyone who participates in the chase of a small game or large game animal, with the means of personally dispatching the hunted animal. Trapping and angling are beyond the scope of St. Hubert's Rangers.
St. Hubert's Rangers is an international, online brotherhood of individuals who are interested in the anachronism of medieval hunters. Rangers research all aspects of the daily lives of medieval hunters, and recreate their clothing, accoutrements and hunting equipment. A ranger's persona could be that of anyone who may have hunted for sport or necessity in Western Europe in the second half of the Middle Ages, such as: a nobleman, forester, huntsman, poacher, or outlaw. For our purposes, a hunter is defined as anyone who participates in the chase of a small game or large game animal, with the means of personally dispatching the hunted animal. Trapping and angling are beyond the scope of St. Hubert's Rangers.
Many Rangers also participate in medieval-style, live hunts, wearing period clothing and accoutrements, and using common, period, hunting techniques and weapons (within the limits of modern law), in an attempt to experience hunting the way it was done hundreds of years ago. Rangers can earn hunt rankings, which begin with Apprentice Huntsman / Huntress and culminate with Royal Huntsman / Huntress, based on their success in taking game during these hunts.
Many Rangers also participate in medieval-style, live hunts, wearing period clothing and accoutrements, and using common, period, hunting techniques and weapons (within the limits of modern law), in an attempt to experience hunting the way it was done hundreds of years ago. Rangers can earn hunt rankings, which begin with Apprentice Huntsman / Huntress and culminate with Royal Huntsman / Huntress, based on their success in taking game during these hunts.
Coat of Arms
Coat of Arms
Vert a latin cross bottony between the attires of St. Hubert’s stag's skull a chief embattled within a bordure all Or
Vert a latin cross bottony between the attires of St. Hubert’s stag's skull a chief embattled within a bordure all Or
St. Hubert's Rangers' coat-of-arms includes elements that represent the brotherhood. The embattled chief symbolizes the Middle Ages, as it represents an architectural element associated with the castles of that time period. The crucifix between the antlers represents St. Hubert, and the stag's skull (a deviation from the typical stag's head that represents St. Hubert) represents a successful hunt.
St. Hubert's Rangers' coat-of-arms includes elements that represent the brotherhood. The embattled chief symbolizes the Middle Ages, as it represents an architectural element associated with the castles of that time period. The crucifix between the antlers represents St. Hubert, and the stag's skull (a deviation from the typical stag's head that represents St. Hubert) represents a successful hunt.
Rangers may incorporate our symbol into their medieval hunter portrayals, as well as the or (gold) and vert (green) livery colors, if they so choose.
Rangers may incorporate our symbol into their medieval hunter portrayals, as well as the or (gold) and vert (green) livery colors, if they so choose.
Rangers receive a pewter badge which may be worn as a medallion or sewn onto a garment or accoutrement.
Rangers receive a pewter badge which may be worn as a medallion or sewn onto a garment or accoutrement.
In the late Middle Ages, badges made of different materials, and livery colors, were common ways to distinguish individuals as members of particular households. Small, pewter pilgrim badges, and secular badges, were also commonly displayed on a person's clothing and/or accoutrements.
In the late Middle Ages, badges made of different materials, and livery colors, were common ways to distinguish individuals as members of particular households. Small, pewter pilgrim badges, and secular badges, were also commonly displayed on a person's clothing and/or accoutrements.
Why St. Hubert?
Why St. Hubert?
Although we are NOT a religious organization, St. Hubert was chosen as our theme because he has strong associations with hunting and culture in the Middle Ages. St. Hubert was an avid hunter, and his conversion took place while hunting a stag. Religion was a very important part of medieval Western-European culture, and St. Hubert was highly venerated. Many medieval military orders were named after him.
Although we are NOT a religious organization, St. Hubert was chosen as our theme because he has strong associations with hunting and culture in the Middle Ages. St. Hubert was an avid hunter, and his conversion took place while hunting a stag. Religion was a very important part of medieval Western-European culture, and St. Hubert was highly venerated. Many medieval military orders were named after him.
St. Hubert born around 656 in Holland and died May 30, 727 in Belgium.
St. Hubert born around 656 in Holland and died May 30, 727 in Belgium.
His feast day is November 3rd.
His feast day is November 3rd.
St Hubert's patronage includes: archers, furriers, hunters, foresters, and hunting dogs, among others.
St Hubert's patronage includes: archers, furriers, hunters, foresters, and hunting dogs, among others.
His representations include a Bishop with a hound and hunting horn, and a stag with a crucifix between its antlers, among others.
His representations include a Bishop with a hound and hunting horn, and a stag with a crucifix between its antlers, among others.
Why Rangers?
Why Rangers?
One might wonder why the 'brotherhood of the medieval hunt' isn't called 'St. Hubert's Huntsmen' or something along those lines. Well, although all of our Ranger portrayals are of people who would have hunted in the Middle Ages, many do not specifically portray a 'huntsman', which was a common medieval occupation. For some, like nobles, hunting was a pastime and training for war. For others, like outlaws and poor serfs, hunting (poaching) was often necessary for survival. So, in an attempt to avoid confusion, the more ambiguous term, ranger, was selected in the context of someone who ranges or roves over large amounts of territory, which would be likely for most people engaged in hunting, regardless of their social status, occupation or motives.
One might wonder why the 'brotherhood of the medieval hunt' isn't called 'St. Hubert's Huntsmen' or something along those lines. Well, although all of our Ranger portrayals are of people who would have hunted in the Middle Ages, many do not specifically portray a 'huntsman', which was a common medieval occupation. For some, like nobles, hunting was a pastime and training for war. For others, like outlaws and poor serfs, hunting (poaching) was often necessary for survival. So, in an attempt to avoid confusion, the more ambiguous term, ranger, was selected in the context of someone who ranges or roves over large amounts of territory, which would be likely for most people engaged in hunting, regardless of their social status, occupation or motives.
History of St. Hubert's Rangers
History of St. Hubert's Rangers
The founder, Paul Wilburn, has been fascinated with medieval hunters since he was a child, and Robin Hood has always been one of his favorite characters. As a young adult he was recruited into the Order of St. Sebastian, a reenactment group which portrayed 14th Century English longbowmen, and he was introduced to traditional archery. Shooting longbows became a passion for him, which eventually led him to traditional bowhunting. Years later he had the notion to combine his two favorite hobbies, and hunt while wearing authentic medieval-style garb and using period equipment. He felt that hunting in this way was about as close as one could get to traveling back in time to experience what it may have been like to be a medieval hunter.
The founder, Paul Wilburn, has been fascinated with medieval hunters since he was a child, and Robin Hood has always been one of his favorite characters. As a young adult he was recruited into the Order of St. Sebastian, a reenactment group which portrayed 14th Century English longbowmen, and he was introduced to traditional archery. Shooting longbows became a passion for him, which eventually led him to traditional bowhunting. Years later he had the notion to combine his two favorite hobbies, and hunt while wearing authentic medieval-style garb and using period equipment. He felt that hunting in this way was about as close as one could get to traveling back in time to experience what it may have been like to be a medieval hunter.
The idea really took off when Paul met Lance Paulson (Ranger #2) on TradGang, a traditional archery forum. Lance had similar interests as Paul, and they quickly learned that within their traditional archery and medieval reenactment circles, there were others who were also interested in experiencing medieval-style hunting, but they were few in number and scattered across the land. That's when the idea for the online brotherhood of the medieval hunt was born. St. Hubert's Rangers, officially formed in January, 2006, is the result of that vision.
The idea really took off when Paul met Lance Paulson (Ranger #2) on TradGang, a traditional archery forum. Lance had similar interests as Paul, and they quickly learned that within their traditional archery and medieval reenactment circles, there were others who were also interested in experiencing medieval-style hunting, but they were few in number and scattered across the land. That's when the idea for the online brotherhood of the medieval hunt was born. St. Hubert's Rangers, officially formed in January, 2006, is the result of that vision.
On March 17, 2007, Donna Mitchell had the honor of becoming our first Ranger to have a successful medieval-style hunt. She took a grey squirrel with her red-tailed hawk, Clarice, making medieval-style hunting a reality. Since then, many of our Rangers have had successful medieval-style hunts, and we eagerly look forward to future hunts.
On March 17, 2007, Donna Mitchell had the honor of becoming our first Ranger to have a successful medieval-style hunt. She took a grey squirrel with her red-tailed hawk, Clarice, making medieval-style hunting a reality. Since then, many of our Rangers have had successful medieval-style hunts, and we eagerly look forward to future hunts.
In January, 2016, exactly one decade after the formation of the brotherhood, St. Hubert's Rangers welcomed its final official member, capping off membership at 100 Rangers.
In January, 2016, exactly one decade after the formation of the brotherhood, St. Hubert's Rangers welcomed its final official member, capping off membership at 100 Rangers.
Founder, Paul Wilburn
Founder, Paul Wilburn
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