Falconry and Hunting

 Falconry and hunting: a common theme seen through medieval history as well as literature. An astonishing practice, used by Kings and the common people alike. When discussing this topic, several questions come to mind: how were they able to train such majestic creatures? Why falcons? Were they successful? Falconry is a much more fascinating subject than one might think.

Animals as Seen in Medieval Times

Two Falconers from De Arte Venandi Cum Avibus (8)

For backgrounds sake, animals were seen much differently during the Medieval ages than they are now. For starters, they were seen as a human's companion, not as something lower than. The people had the most upright respect for all animals. As stated in the Handbook of Medieval Culture, Volume 1,  "they are good omens and gives us comfort and aid. They serve as food, satisfy our needs, and accompany us on our journeys through life" (1). 

When the medieval period was coming to an end, there was a clear distinction that animals and humans shared a common ground, and it was becoming more and more notable. Humans saw themselves as being in the same field as animals, rather than before when religion had mainly ruled. During those times, humans had seen themselves as above animals. The medieval period brought this shift of balance between the two. Speaking more to medieval literature, animals are typically not seen without being some sort of symbol. A good example is the story by Marie De France, "Lanval". While meeting with the fairy-like queen, atop her tent is a gold eagle, which symbolizes her wealth and status of power. A bird, specifically falcons and hawks, became a prevalent symbol among medieval literature. 

Falcons vs. Hawks

There were two types of using birds for hunting: falconry and hawking. One might see them as the same, however, they had important distinctions between them, and those differences are what made them specific for the hunt. The main types of falcons used for hunting were the Gyrfalcon and Peregrine, while the Goshawk and Sparrow were used for hawking. The main difference between the two subspecies was how they hunted. If you were to hunt in a more wooded are, such as a forest, using a hawk would give the best hunt; falcons were more accustomed to open fields. Falconry, as defined by Shawn E. Carroll,  is "the capturing of quarry using trained birds as prey" (2). Falcons are more narrow while hawks are rounder, making falcons quicker at catching prey. The falcon would search for their prey while flying above, and then swoop down to attack. The falcon could attack their prey at around 200 MPH, and the first blow is often deadly. Albert Magnus writes, "...that in descending it sounds like a raging wind" (3). It is important to note that females were often used for hunting as they were larger and stronger than males. Another important note is that the type of hunt depended on the falcon. Certain types of falcons would pursue certain types of prey; if the hunter wanted larger prey, they would use a larger falcon such as a Gyrfalcon or Peregrine. Smaller falcons lead to smaller prey. 

Falcons and Hunting in Medieval Culture

Portrait of a Gyrfalcon by Lombard Master in the 16th century (9)   

While falcons were seen as a common thread among Kings and common folk alike, there would be certain falcons that were reserved for Kings and the nobility. As stated earlier, the two best types of falcons used for medieval falconry were the Gyrfalcon and the Peregrine. Being that they were the best, they would be strictly for royalty. The Gyrfalcon was the most valued falcon there was. They range from 50-63cm with a wingspan of around 105-31cm (3).
Their substantial wingspan allowed them to have more strength and power when it came to attacking their prey. Falcons would be sent to other kingdoms aboard ships, and would also be given as gifts to royalty. Falcons also represented one's status. Depending on size, Falcons provided a heavy price; which is why bigger birds were often seen with the nobility. As pointed out in Hunting Law and Ritual in Medieval English Literature by William Perry Marvin, hunting was seen as a way of warfare. Marvin points out an excellent example in the story Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, when King Bertilak made a deal to trade all of the game he kills while on his hunts in exchange for the prizes Sir Gawain receives (4). 

Training and Sport

 Emperor Frederick II from the "Manfred Manuscript" (10)

The most important step when it came to training falcons was to build trust. It was essential that the falcon and its owner had a relationship, so the falcon would return to them. In medieval times, a common trust-building practice was called "waking". The process of waking, described by falconer Ruth Ligget, included not letting the bird sleep until a relationship was built (5). This also meant that the owner had to stay awake with the falcon, which could be up to three or so days. Though not practical, it was the quickest method. Another method was to simply leave food in your hand; which is easier said than done, however, as the falcon would be weary to feed from the human's hand.
Once trust was built, lures would be commonly used as a way to practice the falcon into chasing their prey. Peregrines, as stated earlier, were commonly reserved for royalty. This was because they are the fastest animal on the planet, making for a quick and successful hunt. To put into perspective of just how fast they truly are, I have attached a YouTube video below, where you can see a Peregrine use its various skills to protect her nest. In the clip from "The Savage Edge" which aired on Discovery Channel, the Peregrine uses her sharp eyesight to pick her prey from over a kilometer away, as well as her cunning speed to take out enemies that are five times her body weight (7). I have attached another YouTube video, where you are able to see the skills of the Gyrfalcon. In this video, aired by BBC Earth Unplugged, the Gyrfalcon races a Bentley Continental GT Speed, and wins. The bird goes over 50 MPH in order to catch the bait used on the car. While in flight, she is seen to go in different directions, trying to find where the clearest wind path was in order to dive (6).

Video Link (6): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZFaHMKqK8UQ

Video Link (7): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uapP1yldldk

Today

Falcons have shown great importance to medieval culture. They provided food and became companions with the people. They are mighty, and it is astonishing all that they were able to do. Since then, falcons are seen as one of the more respected types of birds, and are used as symbols of power, wealth and agility in literature. It is important to understand, however, why they should be even more respected, as they were a staple part of our living. 

Sources

1. Handbook of Medieval Culture. Volume 1 : Handbook of Medieval Culture, edited by Albrecht Classen, De Gruyter, Inc., 2015. ProQuest Ebook Central, https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/bloomsburguniv-ebooks/detail.action?docID=1712977.

2. Carroll, Shawn E. Richard III Society – American Branch, www.r3.org/richard-iii/15th-century-life/15th-century-life-articles/ancient-medieval-falconry-origins-functions-in-medieval-england/.

3. “The Birds, Their Training, and the Sport of Falconry.” The Kings and Their Hawks: Falconry in Medieval England, by ROBIN S. OGGINS, Yale University Press, New Haven; London, 2004, pp. 10–35. JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctt1nq2wm.7. Accessed 23 Oct. 2020.

4. “Blood, Law, and Venery.” Hunting Law and Ritual in Medieval English Literature, by William Perry Marvin, NED - New edition ed., Boydell & Brewer, Woodbridge, Suffolk; Rochester, NY, 2006, pp. 131–157. JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/10.7722/j.ctt9qdjfd.8. Accessed 23 Oct. 2020.

5. Modern History TV. "Medieval birds of prey: How Did Knights Hunt With Birds of Prey?" YouTube, published July 6, 2018. Accessed October 22, 2020. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kJIMhsoNjOE

6. "How Fast is a Gyrfalcon? Earth Unplugged". YouTube, published April 19, 2017. Accessed October 22, 2020. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZFaHMKqK8UQ

7. "The Peregrine Falcon a 'living missile'." YouTube, published April 29, 2015. Accessed October 22, 2020. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uapP1yldldk

8. II, Frederick. Detail of Two Falconers from De Arte Venandi Cum Avibus, 1240s. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frederick_II,_Holy_Roman_Emperor. 

9. “Now The Courts of Europe.” Portrait of a Gyrfalcon, Viewed ||| Animals ||| Sotheby's n09107lot724bgen, www.sothebys.com/en/auctions/ecatalogue/2014/the-courts-of-europe-n09107/lot.108.html.

10. “Frederick II, Holy Roman Emperor.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 23 Oct. 2020, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frederick_II,_Holy_Roman_Emperor.