BORCH'S
FALCONRY - English
In Sweden hawking too have been practised since time immemorial. The tradition here is probably older than in Denmark. Runic stones with depiction of such hunts are proofs of it, (The Lærbro stone in Gotland.) as are the chalk paintings depicting falconry-scenes in The Cathedral of Lund. This made a Swedish archaeologist write a report in 1983 proofing the tradition to go back to the early iron-age.
Several Swedish kings are said to have been excellent falconers. Among these the mythical Olof Skotkonung and the likewise mythical Harald Hvitben of Varmland. Their abilities as falconers are mentioned in the saga's about them.
From the middle-ages and on, different Swedish Kings have had their own mews, but it was first during the reign of Gustavus Wasa (1523-1560) that the names of the falconers were recorded. As a rule they were Dutchmen. Falconry was practised by the court up to the times of King Fredrik I.
There exists a painting by Sebastian Bourdon, depicting Queen Christina (1632-1654) on horseback, attended by a young falconer. The last 'royal falcon master' Carl Harold Konstantin von Ham died in 1867; he was the grandson of Michel von Ham, who came as a falcon-lad from Valkenswaard to Sweden in 1724.
According v. Greiff's records Duke Fredric Adolph was the last practical falconer in Sweden.
BORCH'S
FALCONRY - English