The art of falconry was one of the most fascinating aspects of medieval society. For medieval people falconry was not just about hunting, it encapsulated sovereignty, power and diplomacy. This book describes and assesses the visual culture of falconry, tracking how images, traditions and the falcons themselves spread throughout the medieval world, along with equipment such as hoods and lures. It shows how falconry was global from its very beginning: Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II hired falconers from far and wide to carry out his 'art of hunting with birds'. This beautifully illustrated account shows how different cultures influenced the visual culture of medieval falconry, both in the East and West.