The Medieval Hunt Melissa Rainey Image Courtesy of Google Images; artist Wendy Presseisen

“ H unters live in this world more joyfully than any other men. For when the hunter riseth in the morning, he sees a sweet and fair morn and clear weather and bright, and he heareth the song of the small birds[….] And when the sun is risen he shall see fresh dew upon the small twigs and grasses, and the sun by his virtue shall make them shine. And that is great joy and liking to the hunter’s heart”(Forsyth).

A Brief History Venery, once exercised only for survival, was valued in Europe for centuries. Only during the Middle Ages did it become a sport, employing the help of hounds. Venery, once exercised only for survival, was valued in Europe for centuries. Only during the Middle Ages did it become a sport, employing the help of hounds. Only three preoccupations were of importance: love (preoccupation of the mind), warfare (preoccupation of the body and spirit), and hunting (the most respectable pastime). Only three preoccupations were of importance: love (preoccupation of the mind), warfare (preoccupation of the body and spirit), and hunting (the most respectable pastime).

Hunting Hounds Varieties (Wolf hound, setter, basset, greyhound, among others) Varieties (Wolf hound, setter, basset, greyhound, among others) A Medieval serf may have preferred to have been a hunting hound A Medieval serf may have preferred to have been a hunting hound Image courtesy of g/300px-Medieval_hounds2.png

The Training of the Young Apprentice From the dog’s bed to the head of the pack From the dog’s bed to the head of the pack Image courtesy of g/250px-Medieval_women_hunting.jpg

The Hunting Party Image courtesy of The apprentice (tracking) The hounds (scent & sight) The lymer & his lymerers (scent hounds) The kennelmen The lord

The Hunt The prey (stag, fox, and wild boar) The prey (stag, fox, and wild boar) The accoutrements (clothing and weapons) The accoutrements (clothing and weapons) The chase The chase The prize The prize Image courtesy of

Implications of the Hunt Inspired art, poetry, and literature Inspired art, poetry, and literature Gaston III, Count of Foix (called Phoebus) LeLivre de la chasse Gaston III, Count of Foix (called Phoebus) LeLivre de la chasse On Gentle and Wild Beasts, On the Nature and Care of Dogs, On Instructions for Hunting with Dogs, and On Hunting with Traps, Snares, and Crossbow On Gentle and Wild Beasts, On the Nature and Care of Dogs, On Instructions for Hunting with Dogs, and On Hunting with Traps, Snares, and Crossbow The Morgan Collection The Morgan Collection The Morgan Collection The Morgan Collection Retained link with nature/ salve for the soul (Cummins 2) Retained link with nature/ salve for the soul (Cummins 2)

Implications of the Medieval Hunt, Cont. Subject of much scholarly interest Subject of much scholarly interest Intertwining of love and death Intertwining of love and death Ritualized slaughter / transference of guilt Ritualized slaughter / transference of guilt The hunt as metaphor for aging The hunt as metaphor for aging (Marvin ix, 6)

Works Cited Cummins, John. The Hound and the Hawk: The Art of Medieval Hunting. 2nd ed. London: Phoenix P, Cummins, John. The Hound and the Hawk: The Art of Medieval Hunting. 2nd ed. London: Phoenix P, Forsyth, William. "The Medieval Stag Hunt." JStor. Thomas Jefferson, St. Louis. 5 Feb Forsyth, William. "The Medieval Stag Hunt." JStor. Thomas Jefferson, St. Louis. 5 Feb Marvin, William P. Hunting Law and Ritual in Medieval English Literature. Cambridge: DS Brewer, Marvin, William P. Hunting Law and Ritual in Medieval English Literature. Cambridge: DS Brewer, "Medieval Hunting." Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems (SSCSIS) at Pace University. 5 Feb "Medieval Hunting." Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems (SSCSIS) at Pace University. 5 Feb