Falconry 

How did Medieval people hunt?

They used many weapons and traps, but one of the more interesting ways was to use birds.  Falconry or Hawking, is the sport of hunting with: falcons, hawks, or eagles.  It originated in Ancient Egypt and is still around today.  We found someone who is a registered falconer (a master) and asked him all about it.  Click Here to read our interview.

David Huntimer has been a falconer for 14 years.  Below are some pictures of David and his family/friends with their falcon:

Fast Fact:     Did you know that the word codger (an elderly person) actually comes from  the falconry term "cadger" which means someone who carries a portable perch or "cadge".

Here is a list of which types of birds were used by the different classes of people in the Medieval Period:

Emperor:  Golden Eagle (or Gyrfalcons)

King:  Gyrfalcons

Prince:  Female Peregrine

Earl:  Peregrine Falcon

Baron:  Tiercel Peregrine   

Knight:  Saker falcon

Squire:  Lanner falcon

Noblewoman:  Merlin

Yeoman:  Northern goshawk

Page or yeoman:  Eurasian hobby

Priest:  Female Eurasian sparrowhawk

Holy water clerk:  Male Eurasian sparrowhawk

Knave, servant, or child: Eurasian kestrel

Above:  David's friend with her hawk Pita.

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