The use of birds of prey in history is far from uncommon, recordings date as far back as 1,700 BC of falconry; which is commonly mistaken as being reserved for members of the upper class, but is false. Many lower class hunters used falconry to assist in gathering food. It wouldn't be until after Norman rule that falconry was generally restricted to upper class nobles who owned private land to hunt on. By this point, the falcon was trained by a residential owner, or the Royal Falconer, who was a very highly respected figure in noble courts.