The Kings and Their Hawks: Falconry in Medieval England

by Robin S. Oggins

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.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0300100582
• ISBN13: 9780300100587
• Release Date: October 2004
• Publisher: Yale University Press
• Length: 282 Pages
• Weight: 1.32 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 6.4" x 9.6"