Brian Smith Lecture: 'A ridiculous relique of feudal barbarism'
Thursday, November 24th 2016 7:00pm
Join us for a lecture by Archivist, Brian Smith, entitled ‘A ridiculous relique of feudal barbarism’: the collection of hawks and 'hawkhens' in Shetland, 1472-1840.
From 1472 onwards monarchs of Scotland, and eventually those of Great Britain, claimed falcons and other hawks from Shetland. They appointed falconers, who sent servants north to capture the birds.
The kings also claimed a right to ‘hawkhens’, fowl for the hawks to eat on the passage south. As time went on the Shetlanders complained about the exaction, and in the end the young Queen Victoria abolished it.
Doors open at 6.30pm for a 7.00pm start.
Tickets are available now, priced £3.50, from www.thelittleboxoffice.com/smaa or from Shetland Museum and Archives reception on 01595 741562.
Category: Lectures