Hawk Conservancy Visit

We were delighted to host Gareth, a falconer from the Hawk Conservancy Trust, to our class, as part of our enquiry into how people lived in Tudor times.

Having discovered that the Tudors were keen falconers - using it as a method of catching food and also enjoying it as a sport - we wanted to find out more.  Gareth explained that only certain people could fly certain birds, depending upon your status (or rank). For example, if you were a knave, you would fly a kestrel, if you were a Lady you would fly a merlin and if you were a King, you could fly a gyrfalcon.

What surprised us was how many words or phrases we use today that originated from Tudor falconry.  Did you know that the term 'fed up' came from when a bird of prey had eaten a large meal and was so full that it didn't need to fly. So it would sit in a tree and do nothing!  The term 'mantle piece' comes from a raptor covers its food with its wings to protect if from other birds of prey.  Nowadays, we use a mantle piece to cover our fireplaces.

Gareth was extremely knowledgeable...and patient with all our questions!  It was a marvellous afternoon and gave us a new insight into how falconry was a very important part of Tudor life.

 

Last Modified: 26/07/2011