Historical Falconry: An Illustrated Guide

Falconry was a major part of historical culture and lifestyle across the world and throughout history. The origins of falconry are set in the Far and Middle East, as early nations developed and the flying and training of birds of prey began to be seen as an art form, as well as a method of hunting. As east met west, during the expansion of the Roman Empire, we see the first archaeological evidence for Western European individuals practicing this most ancient art. Thus our first known evidence of falconry in Britain arrives with the Romans, and perhaps this most important and integral part of our cultural heritage became instituted in British history. From Late Antiquity, through to the Elizabethan age, falconry grew in popularity, only declining in interest in the late 1600s due to the evolution of firearms. This book seeks to explore the world of historical falconry, from the individuals who flew the birds and the birds themselves, to the historical techniques, skills, and equipment used by the falconers, and the way in which falconry was entirely interwoven with all the different aspects of historical culture and lifestyle.