They stoop to conquer
Shooting Times & Country|January 20, 2021
Once the sport of emperors, falconry has changed over the centuries — but it has also stayed much the same, says Richard Negus
Richard Negus
They stoop to conquer

Here in the British Isles it is understood that the Saxon kings avidly practised the art of falconry. By the time of the Norman Conquest, royalty, nobles and clergy used falcons and hawks for sport. While falconry was perceived as an aristocratic pastime, plebeian Brits were also using raptors to catch game and wildfowl for the pot.

When the Boke of St Albans was written in 1486 by the rather racy sounding sporting nun Juliana Berners, she prescribed a neat list of which bird of prey was suitable for each level of social strata. She opined that eagles could adorn the arm of an emperor; kings carried eagles while their sons could fly a peregrine. Looking down Dame Juliana’s list, it would appear I may just scrape into the mix with a kestrel, which as we all know is fit for a knave.

Thankfully in the intervening 533 years since the Boke of St Albans was penned, falconry has become significantly less socially exclusive. Heartened by this new egalitarianism I was delighted to accept an invitation by my good friend, gamekeeper Paul ‘Hardy’ Hardcastle. On the last day of the game season, he was to host a group of sportsmen who wanted to pit their peregrines against his grey partridges. I imagine the sporting Abbess would have been spinning in her grave at this — not one prince was to be found in the assembled ranks.

Trusted hands

Falconers, if the group Andy Hulme had assembled are anything to go by, are two things. First, very jolly. Secondly, obsessives about their birds. Andy is a great character. I first met him at Hardy’s shoot at Benningham Hall in mid-Suffolk early this season. A regular in the beating line, Andy is one of the ‘trusted hands’ of the hard-to-impress Hardy.

Esta historia es de la edición January 20, 2021 de Shooting Times & Country.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

Esta historia es de la edición January 20, 2021 de Shooting Times & Country.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

MÁS HISTORIAS DE SHOOTING TIMES & COUNTRYVer todo
United we stand
Shooting Times & Country

United we stand

Following United Utilities' decision to end grouse shooting on its land, Lindsay Waddell asks what will happen if we ignore our vital moors

time-read
5 minutos  |
August 02, 2023
Serious matters
Shooting Times & Country

Serious matters

An old gamebook prompts a contemplation on punt-gunning

time-read
3 minutos  |
August 02, 2023
They're not always as easy as they seem
Shooting Times & Country

They're not always as easy as they seem

While coneys of the furry variety don't pose a problem for Blue Zulu, he's left frustrated once again by bolting bunnies of the clay sort

time-read
5 minutos  |
August 02, 2023
Debutant gundogs
Shooting Times & Country

Debutant gundogs

There's lots to think about when it comes to making the decision about when to introduce your dog to shooting

time-read
4 minutos  |
August 02, 2023
When the going gets rough
Shooting Times & Country

When the going gets rough

Al Gabriel returns to the West London Shooting School to brush up on his rough shooting technique

time-read
5 minutos  |
August 02, 2023
The Field Guide To British Deer - BDS 60th Anniversary Edition
Shooting Times & Country

The Field Guide To British Deer - BDS 60th Anniversary Edition

In this excerpt from the 60th anniversary edition of the BDS's Field Guide To British Deer, Charles Smith-Jones considers the noise they make

time-read
4 minutos  |
August 02, 2023
A step too far?
Shooting Times & Country

A step too far?

Simon Garnham wonders whether a new dog, a new gun and two different fields in need of protection might have been asking too much for one afternoon's work

time-read
6 minutos  |
August 02, 2023
Two bucks before breakfast
Shooting Times & Country

Two bucks before breakfast

A journey from old South London to rural Hertfordshire to stalk muntjac suggests that the two aren't as far detached as they might seem

time-read
6 minutos  |
August 02, 2023
Stalking Diary
Shooting Times & Country

Stalking Diary

Stalkers can be a sentimental bunch, and they often carry a huge attachment to their hill

time-read
2 minutos  |
August 02, 2023
Gamekeeper
Shooting Times & Country

Gamekeeper

Alan Edwards believes unique, private experiences can help keepers become more competent and passionate custodians of the countryside

time-read
3 minutos  |
August 02, 2023