Hunting in the Middle Ages In the modern US, hunting is not considered an elite activity. One tends to think of country folk and good old boys going hunting, often because they could use the food. The last time hunting was considered something for the wealthy and powerful was back when it was considered appropriate to go to Africa or Alaska to shoot elephants or lions or polar bears in Africa or Alaska. In the Middle Ages, in contrast, hunting was very much an activity for elites. Nobles loved to hunt, to the the point that giving up hunting was a sign of serious penance. Several saints started life as rich lords but were converted to the religious life when, on a hunting trip, they saw an animal carrying a cross. Fantastic stories often involved hunting, such as capturing a white (albino) hart or trapping a unicorn, as seen in this late medieval tapestry. Probably the main source of meat on a noble table was from hunting, rather then livestock raising. Nobles hunted various k
Post: 23 December 14:18
