The Probert Encyclopaedia of Recreation

FALCONRY

Falconry is the pursuit of game by means of trained falcons or hawks; also called Hawking. Falconry is a very old amusement in Europe and Asia. In the middle ages it was the favourite sport of princes and nobles; and, as ladies could engage in it, it became very prevalent. Charlemagne passed laws in regard to falconry. In Germany Henry the Fowler and the Emperor Frederick the Second were much addicted to this sport, the latter having written a work on falconry. In France it reached its height under Francis I, whose grand falconer had under him an establishment of 15 nobles and 50 falconers, costing annually about 40,000 livres.

In Britain falconry was practised among the Anglo-Saxons, but became much more popular and widespread after the Norman Conquest. One of the most interesting English works on the subject is that which forms the first part of the Boke of St. Albans, first printed in 1481. In England the Duke of St. Albans is still hereditary grand falconer, and traditionally presents the monarch with a cast (or pair) of falcons on the day of his coronation. Falconry continued to be popular until the 17th century; but the invention of fire-arms gradually superseded it, though in isolated instances gentlemen could still be found who pursued the sport to some little extent as late as the end of the 19th century. In Iran and other eastern countries hawking remained in great favour.

The training of a hawk was a matter requiring great pains and protracted attention, the natural wildness and intractableness of the birds being difficult to overcome. When a hawk allows itself to be hooded and unhooded quietly and will leap on the hand of the trainer to receive food, its education is considered far advanced, and the trainer then endeavoured to accustom the bird to the lure. This was a piece of leather or wood covered with the wings and feathers of a bird and attached to a cord. The falcon was fed from it, and was recalled by the falconer swinging the lure round his head with an accompanying cry. When the falcon had been taught to obey the lure it was then trained in the mode of seizing its game, which was first done with tame game attached to a peg. The falcon was then made to fly at free game, and when it was fully trained it was used for sport. The falcon was always kept hooded during excursions, until it was wanted to fly.
Research Falconry