Cunnan - User contributions [en]

Falconry

2007-09-18T20:13:27Z

87.101.244.7:

'''Falconry''' (or '''hawking''') is the art of rearing, training and using [[bird of prey|birds of prey]], like [[falcon]]s, [[hawk]]s and [[eagle]]s. Falconers were commonly in the employ of major households, but falconry was seen as a [[sport]] or recreational activity in a similar way to [[hunting]]. [[Period]] [[art]] displays the lords and ladies walking and riding with a bird on their [[glove]]. The bird would be released to hunt for other birds or small animals to the joy of the [[nobility]], but it was the falconer's job to look after and train the raptor. The chief falconer was a respected position within the household. Birds were given as gifts between royalty and prey was bred to hunt with.

Falconry was widespread across [[Europe]] and the [[Middle East]]. There are some claims that it was introduced during the [[Crusade]]s, but there are early references to it by writers like [[Aristotle]] and the [[Roman]]s certainly had falconers. In [[Japan]], ''Takagari'' was practised by the [[nobility]] and the military.

In [[heraldry]], a [[close|standing]] falcon is often displayed wearing a [[jess]] and [[bell]]s on its legs. These are both signs of the association that was made been the birds and falconry.

==Writings on falconry==
Those familiar with the modern novel "Kes" or "[[Kestrel]] for a Knave" by Barry Hines may remember the poem that ranked the birds of prey according to the rank of those who used them. The poem was found in the [[Boke of St Albans]] (1486). However, the ranking is more a reflection of reality than a set of rules. Falconry was expensive. Some of the large birds are rarer, harder to get eggs of and harder to train. Accordingly, it was the greater nobility who were able to use these birds for falconry.

:'An Eagle for an Emperor, a Gyrfalcon for a King:
:a Peregrine for a Prince,

Albigensian Crusade

2007-09-18T17:53:31Z

87.101.244.7:

The '''Albigensian Crusade''' (1209-1229) was part of the Roman [[Catholic Church]]'s efforts to crush the [[Cathars]].

The Cathars were especially numerous in southern France, in the region of [[Languedoc]], then part of the [[History of Catalonia|Catalan-Aragonese Confederation]] or [[Kings of Aragon|Kingdom of Aragon]]. They were termed Albigensians because of the movement's presence in and around the city of [[Albi]]. Political control in Languedoc was split amongst many local lords and town councils, the area was relatively lightly oppressed and reasonably advanced.

The crusading efforts can be divided into a number of periods, the first from 1209 to 1215 was a series of great success for the crusaders in Languedoc. The captured lands however were largely lost between 1215 and 1225 in a series of revolts and reverses. The situation turned again following the intervention of the French king, [[Louis VIII of France|Louis VIII]], in 1226. He died in November of that year, but the efforts continued under [[Louis IX of France|Louis IX]]; the area was reconquered by 1229 and main protagonists made peace. From 1233 the efforts of the [[Inquisition]] to crush Catharism were key, there was resistance and revolts with the military action finally ending in 1255 but the Cathar efforts were clearly doomed.

[[Pope Innocent III]] organised the vigorous suppression of the Cathars. He sent a papal legate to investigate Languedoc in 1204 and found that it would be difficult to convert the heretics. The Pope called upon the French king, [[Philip II of France|Philippe II]], to act against those nobles who permitted Catharism, but Philippe was involved in the [[Bouvines War]] and declined to act. In 1206 the Pope sought support for action from the nobles of Languedoc. The powerful count [[Raymond VI of Toulouse]] refused to assist and was [[excommunication|excommunicated]] in May, 1207. Raymond met with a papal representative, [[Pierre de Castelnau]], in January 1208, and after an angry meeting Pierre de Castelnau was killed the following day. The Pope reacted to the affront by a [[Papal Bull|bull]] declaring a crusade against Languedoc

Edward I

2007-09-18T16:16:53Z

87.101.244.7:

The following is verbatim from Carr's ''Dictionary of English Kings, Consorts, Pretenders, Usurpers, un-natural Claimants