Falconry plot hatched for Easter at Rievaulx Abbey

Easter weekend, Saturday 7 – Monday 9 April 2012

If you are expecting to see eggs at Rievaulx Abbey, near Helmsley, this Easter, think again – because rather than fluffy little chicks, the site will be populated with some of nature’s finest flying hunters for three days of medieval falconry.

Costumed master falconers from Raphael Falconry will take up residence at the site for the Easter weekend to give visitors a unique insight into how the keen eyesight and lightning-fast reflexes of hunting birds from around the globe were put to use both to put food on the table, and as a demonstration of social status and skill in medieval England.

Pilgrims making their Easter journey to Rievaulx will be invited to come and see the birds up close in the medieval mews – including a stunning Eagle owl, and a selection of hawks and kestrels – to hear about their importance in society, before seeing several of the birds take to the skies above the ruins in spectacular aerial displays, which will leave visitors in no doubt as to the hunting prowess of the magnificent raptors.

“Anyone who has passed by Rievaulx Abbey in the evening will be familiar with the screeches and call of the owls and hawks who regularly use the ruins as their personal hunting grounds, and indeed, you can often see owl ‘pellets’ containing the bones of small mammals around the bottom of the walls at the far end of the site, but this weekend gives everyone the chance to see these birds ‘hunting’ under the watchful eye of Mike and Emma Raphael,” explains English Heritage’s regional events manager, Jon Hogan. “Watching as they launch themselves from lofty perches with pinpoint accuracy, it is not difficult to see why they were so valued in medieval society – this was about so much more than sport, these birds literally brought home food for the table.”

Admission to the event s £6.50 for adults, £6.00 for concessions and £4.50 for children, or free for English Heritage members. The event runs from 12 noon until 5.00pm each day, with the site additionally open from 10.00am to 6.00pm daily from 1 April. Rievaulx Abbey is located in the picturesque Rievaulx valley, a short drive (or 45 minute walk) from Helmsley, north of York.

For more information, please visit www.english-heritage.org.uk/rievaulx or call 0870 333 1183 for details.

ENDS

For further media information, or a copy of the English Heritage events press pack for Yorkshire and the North, please contact:

Jay Commins – PRO English Heritage (Yorkshire)

Tel: 0113 251 5698

Mob: 07810 546567

Email: jay@fim.org.uk