Hugh de Burgh was in charge of guarding Arthur and refused to let him be mutilated, but to demoralise Arthur's supporters was to announce his death. The circumstances of Arthur's death are unclear, though he probably died in 1203.
Hugh de Burgh oversaw the protection of Arthur and resisted allowing him to undergo mutilation, whereas to undermine Arthur's followers was to proclaim his passing. The exact circumstances of Arthur's death remain uncertain, but it is believed to have occurred sometime between 1203.