History of Falconry
The history of falconry can be traced back as long ago as 2000 BC, to the Middle and Far East. It was perhaps most popular in medieval England though, where it was the favoured field sport for over four centuries. The English probably acquired the technique of falconry from the German Saxons or from the Romans, after they had invaded.
Hunting with birds, was popular with anyone who could afford to buy and keep a bird of prey, to the extent of it being a craze. Having your own falcon was seen as a status symbol. It was a particularly expensive hobby to maintain, and this is why it became most popular among many kings of England. These kings were so anxious to have the best birds, and therefore the best kills, that they introduced the Laws of Ownership. This stated that certain birds could only be held by certain ranks, and one couldn’t hunt with a bird that had been assigned to a higher rank. So, the King would have any bird at his disposal, but would choose one that was only available to himself, such as the eagle or vulture. In contrast a knave or servant would only ever be able to hunt with a kestrel.
The men who trained the falcons for the king, the falconers, were very well respected. They held certain privileges, and rewards were particularly good if, when hunting, a heron, bittern or crane was caught. These birds were considered the best kills.
The birds were trained to catch prey both on the ground and in the air, but it is the latter form that was most popular by some way. The falconers would wear a large leather glove, on which the bird perched. If the bird were a large one such as an eagle, the glove would have to be of double thickness and extend further up the arm to reduce the risk of injury. The bird would be hooded, until near the time of release. Hooding a bird helped to calm it down, preventing the falcon from sensing new and/or potentially stressful experiences. Lures were used to train the birds, differing in shape and size to reflect the characteristics of the prospective prey. This was a long and expensive training, and because the game caught from falconry wasn’t enough to feed a large number of people, it was mainly enjoyed as just a sport.
