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 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 Abbreviations Notes Bibliography Index