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LadyCordelia
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posted 02-04-2004 01:12 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for LadyCordelia   Click Here to Email LadyCordelia     Edit/Delete Message
Did people in the middle ages own pets? I've seen a tapestry of a Maiden petting a dog. I know they had hawks and horses and dogs, mainly for hunting. What about cats? and rabbits?
I'm just wondering. If anyone knows anything about it, please reply.

Peter
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posted 02-04-2004 03:07 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Peter   Click Here to Email Peter     Edit/Delete Message
Hm !
That's a thought.
I wouldn't have thought rabbits, as a 'warren' was part of the food chain like a Dovecot, or a fish-pool. We have a place not far from where I live which is known as the 'Warren', and is on the estate belonging to Hawarden castle.
Owning exotic pets was a symbol of power. And normally only available to a King or Queen.
The Tower of London, had the privilaged position of 'Keeper of Lions' as early as 1313, Peter Fabre of Montpeller. And does lists Lions & Leopards about that date, And does say 'including whelps', which means they were breeding in captivity.
No doubt on mainland Europe there would be a greater choice on animals brought from Africa etc.

ipflo
Moderator
posted 02-05-2004 02:01 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for ipflo   Click Here to Email ipflo     Edit/Delete Message
Yes on the mainland was a bigger choice.

Especially the castle of Hesdin, a residence of the dukes of Burgundy, was very well known for its zoo.

And an other example, Charles V kept Lions in his Castle in Gent, the Prinsenhof.

An other known well known 'pet' was the bear.

Merlin
Senior Member
posted 02-06-2004 03:24 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Merlin   Click Here to Email Merlin     Edit/Delete Message
Well, 'pet' may realy be the wrong word: But already Charlemagne had some kind of a zoo at his main residence in Aachen in the early 9th century. It is well known that the calif of Baghdad sent him an Elephant among other presents. Peacocks were also to be found in many castles.

deborahknowles
Senior Member
posted 02-08-2004 04:49 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for deborahknowles   Click Here to Email deborahknowles     Edit/Delete Message
they had cats but more as mousers than pets!

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Peter
Member
posted 03-08-2004 03:36 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Peter   Click Here to Email Peter     Edit/Delete Message
Also in the Oxbow listings;

Medieval Animals,
edited by Aleks Pluskowski

All times are PT (US)

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