Falconry in the grand Duchy of Lithuania in the 15-16th century

• Academia.edu: straipsnio tekstas

ENIn the Grand Duchy of Lithuania during the Middle Ages and early Modern period, various types of hunting had a very large impact on the mundane life of the rulers’ estate. In addition, hunting was used as means of political communication. he same was practiced throughout Western Europe at the time. It is little wonder that the ruler of the grand Duchy of Lithuania had special hunt oicers for diferent types of hunting. In the 15th century, hawking was very popular among the mighty of Western Europe and it was a widespread “fashion” in the Grand Duchy of Lithuania as well. he position of the great falconer (cокольничий, sokolniczy, lt. sakalidininkas) in the court of the grand duke of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania was very elite. It is important to note that usually great falconers worked on their own and did not submit to great hunters’ authority. Great falconer organized and supervised the economy of hunting birds. During the royal hunts they coordinated their actions with the ruler and the great hunter. he analysis of this topic is based on diverse sources, including data from account books, noblemen’s recollections, letters. Moreover, a lot of important information is found in regulations, inventories, oicers‘ registers, judicial cases, and privileges contained in the Lithuanian Metrica books. hese small or even microscopic pieces of information scattered throughout all of the mentioned groups of sources demonstrates the importance of falconry in the cultural heritage of Europe and the Grand Duchy of Lithuania because until now this subject has not received proper attention from historians specialising in Lithuanian historiography. Also, this analysis relects one of the most popular and vivid occupations practiced in the Middle Ages and early Modern period and depicts the multicultural relationships among the mighty of Western Europe. Key words: falconry, Grand Duchy of Lithuania, falconer, great falconer. [From the publication]