I never got past apprentice in falconry…I had to give it up for a variety of logistical reasons, but I have basic training in handling both diurnal raptors and owls. (My master was actually primarily an owler, which, yes, is a thing).

Falconry is something not often touched on in fantasy books. In fact, I’m betting most people reading this can only think of the false example of Ladyhawke.

But it’s an art people have practiced for a very long time and should be in there more.

Let’s take a bit of a look at it. How it started and, most importantly, how it has been used practically and socially.