# Hubert de Burgh — King John character guide

> Hubert de Burgh in King John by William Shakespeare.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Hubert Lords, Hubert Peace, Hubert O, Hubert Old men, Arthur Hubert, Lord Bigot, Bigot

**First appearance:** 0002-act-i-scene-i

## Snapshot

John's trusted officer, handed the custody of a child and the conscience that comes with it.

## Who they are

When the lords press John to free Arthur, John instead commits the boy's youth to Hubert's 'direction,' a charge the watching Pembroke reads as a death warrant. Hubert's troubled eye and closed manner make the court suspect him, yet when alone with Arthur he swears he will not harm the child for all the world's wealth. His divided loyalty between his king's orders and his own mercy places him at the moral center of the play's middle acts.

## In the story

### [Scene II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/king_john_se/chapters/act-iii-scene-ii)

Enters with King John and Arthur, tasked with keeping the boy.

### [Scene III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/king_john_se/chapters/act-iii-scene-iii)

Receives King John's trust and agrees to ensure Arthur does not live.

### [Scene I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/king_john_se/chapters/act-iv-scene-i)

Hubert is ordered to blind Arthur but relents after Arthur's heartfelt appeal, choosing to spare him and deceive the king.

### [Scene II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/king_john_se/chapters/act-iv-scene-ii)

Reveals that Arthur is still alive and defends his own innocence; is sent by John to bring the peers to him.

### [Scene III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/king_john_se/chapters/act-iv-scene-iii)

Denies killing Arthur, claims he left him alive, and is threatened by the Bastard and lords.

### [Scene III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/king_john_se/chapters/act-iv-scene-iii)

Accompanies Pembroke and Salisbury, supports their accusations against Hubert.

### [Scene III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/king_john_se/chapters/act-v-scene-iii)

Reports that the battle is going badly and inquires after the king's health.

### [Scene VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/king_john_se/chapters/act-v-scene-vi)

Seeks out the Bastard to deliver news of King John's poisoning and the lords' return with Prince Henry.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/king_john_se/characters/hubert
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/king_john_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/king_john_se/characters