The Kings and Their Hawks: Falconry in Medieval England

Description

In medieval Europe, falconry was perhaps the most popular form of hunting among the aristocracy. Owning a falcon, and the necessary falconer to go with it, was a status symbol throughout the middle ages. This book is the first broad history of English royal falconry in medieval times, a book that draws on forty years of research to provide a full description of the actual practice and conditions of the sport and of the role of falconers in the English royal household. Robin S. Oggins begins with a description of the birds of prey, their training, and the sport of falconry. He provides a short history of early falconry in western Europe and England, then explores in unprecedented detail royal falconry from the reign of William I to the death of Edward I in 1307. The author concludes with an overview of the place and importance of falconry in medieval life. Contents List of Illustrations Acknowledgments Introduction 1 The Sources 2 The Birds, Their Training, and the Sport of Falconry 3 Falconry in Anglo-Saxon England 4 English Royal Falconry, William I to Henry II 5 English Royal Falconry, Richard I to Henry III 6 Falconry in the Reign of Edward I 7 Falconry in Medieval Life Appendix: Royal Falconry Expenditures, 1234–1307 List of Abbreviations Notes Bibliography Index