HU'BERT DE BURGH ( ?-1243). An Eng lish statesman. lie held office under Richard the Lion-Hearted, and about 1202 was made, by King John, castellan of Falaise and guardian of Arthur of Brittany, the young son of John's elder brother, Geoffrey. The story of his refusal to obey the King's orders to blind the young prince, incorporated by Shakespeare in his King John, is unauthentic. In the struggle between John and the barons he sided with the King. hut is mentioned as one of those by whose advice Magna Charta was granted. In the same year he was made justiciar of England. He held Dover Castle against the Dauphin Louis in 1216, and on August 24th of the following year gained a notable naval victory over a French fleet which was bringing in reenforeements to Louis. After 1219, Hubert, with Stephen Langton, Archbishop of Canterbury, carried on the government for the young Henry III. He was a bitter opponent of the foreign party headed by Peter des Roches, Bishop of Winchester, and attempted to put an end to the system by which the wealth of H?.
English clergy was being taxed for the benefit of the Papal Court. His policy in general was dic tated by a twofold desire to strengthen the power of the Crown and to further his own fortunes. During his terms of office he amassed vast riches through prudent marriages, as well as by arro gating to himself lucrative offices and the guar dianship of wealthy heirs. Members of his family were advanced to high positions in the Church. Ills ill success against the Welsh about the year 1228 afforded his enemies an opportunity for un dermining his influence with the King. He was dismissed from office in 1232, and charged with malfeasance, murder, and treason. Though re stored to the King's favor for a short period, he never again exercised any influence in the Govern ment. He died in London, May 12, 1243. Con sult Stubbs. Constitutional History of England, vol. ii. (4th ed.. Oxford. 1896).