Osprey - General Military - Knight - The Warrior and ... - Brego-weard

BEYOND THE BATTLEFIELD: THE KNIGHT IN MEDIEVAL SOCIETY -•
FOREST, DEER PARKS AND HUNTING
Like the inclusion of crenellations, the creation of a deer park required a licence from
the Crown. The ownership of hunting land or the right to hunt within it were as much
a symbol of noble status as the fortified dwelling or heraldic arms. Vast tracts of land,
by the late 12th centuiy maybe as much as a third of southern England, were set aside
for hunting. These parks and 'forests' (a legal term for a hunting ground rather than
a place of dense woodland) came under their own 'forest law' the terms of which were
designed to protect the animals and landscape for the sole purpose of hunting. Under
this law it was illegal to hunt game, build enclosures or clear land for agriculture within
the forest without a warrant, which was sold by the Crown. Those living within the
forest were forbidden from owning hunting weapons or dogs.
Hunting was a noble pastime and, like the
tournament, considered a manly pursuit and
a training for war. The chivalric writers
emphasized the importance of hunting as
exercise for the body whilst in his treatise on
hunting entitled The Master of Game, Edward
of Norwich, Duke ol York in the reign of
Heniy IV and V, writes that 'hunting causeth
a man to eschew the seven deadly sins' and
that he is 'better when riding; more ]ust
and more understanding, and more alert and
more at ease'.
He also says that hunting gives a man
'better knowing ol all countries and all
passages'. Not only did hunting improve
fitness and equestrian skills, it also taught the
knight about the use of terrain. In many ways
the hunt was like a military campaign. The
hunt par force, 'by strength', began with
the quest, the tracking of the quariy before the
hunt began. Then the hunters would assemble
to hear the huntsman's report and decide on a
strategy for the hunt Itself. The hounds,
separated into packs, were placed along the
expected route that the quarry would take, so
that they formed a relay and no one pack
Falconry and hawking
were as noble pursuits
as hunting, although
Gaston Pheobus rated it
less because it could only
be enjoyed during the
spring and summer months
whilst the chase could be
pursued all year around.
(The Art Archive)
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