The Middleton Accounts of 1525: #23

The next entry in the Middleton household accounts of Sir Henry Willoughby in 1525 was dated the 12^th October. It was a payment to cover the costs incurred by Mr Swinfen who had, on the commandment of Sir Henry, taken the hawks from Middleton to King Henry VIII in London. The amount was 10 shillings, which was the equivalent of about £220.64 today. In comparative terms, this was the equivalent of about 16 days wages for a skilled tradesman at that time. It is believed that this record refers to Robert Swinfen, who was employed as a falconer by Sir Henry Willoughby. 

Raptor Birds Day at Middleton Hall, 1987.

In Tudor England the practice of falconry was widespread and was undertaken by all social classes and genders. It was above all an essential method of providing meat for the household table. However, it was additionally a respected sport and could be a status symbol, depending on the species of bird owned especially if it was a rare bird. A wide variety of species of birds were used for falconry in Tudor times including: lanner falcons; goshawks; sparrowhawks (which they called sparhawks); and merlins. In Tudor times, unlike today, people ate a very wide range of species. The different types of birds used for falconry changed the type of prey that could be caught, for example: the lanner falcon would catch predominately other birds such as pigeons; goshawks would catch mammals like squirrels or hares as well as birds such as crows and even herons; and merlins would catch small mammals such as rabbits or birds like partridges. 

Midlands Birds of Prey Rescue on Wildlife Day at Middleton Hall, 2005. Photograph taken by Audrey Bagby.

 This entry in the Middleton accounts was not the only time that Robert Swinfen was mentioned:

• On the previous 28^th January, Sir Henry had paid 12d (about £26 today) to Robert when Robert got married.

• At Christmas 1524, Robert received the half-year wages of 10 shillings.

• In November 1524, Robert was paid 6d (about £13 today) to take his hawks and spaniels from Middleton to Wollaton.

• On 14^th September 1524, he was paid 22d (about £47.67 today) for his and John Gosson’s board at Wollaton when they were there for a week for the “entering” of the hawks.

• At Midsummer 1524, Robert received the half-year wages of 10 shillings.

• On 21^st June 1524, Robert was paid 4d (about £8.67 today) to watch a deer that was “lawgyd” [sic] by Swinfen.

• In December 1523, he was paid 7d (about £15.17) for his costs to seek a hawk on Sir Henry’s commandment.

• In the previous March, 20d (about £43.34 today) was paid as a reward to one of Robert’s soldiers.

• In December 1522, 4 shillings (about £104 today) was paid to one of Robert’s servants for gear relating to the keeping of hawks and it was mentioned that this activity was being undertaken on the commandment of Sir Henry.

• On 20^th September 1522, Robert was paid 10d (about £21.67 today) to purchase a new pair of shoes for himself.

• In May 1522, 8d (about £17.33 today) was paid to one of Robert’s soldiers.

Further Reading: W. H. Stevenson, Report on the Manuscripts of Lord Middleton, Historical Manuscripts Commission, 1911. pp.341-378.

Author - Debbie Jordan, Middleton Hall Volunteer.

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