A kestrel for a knave

A kestrel for a knave: watercolour on paper

“An Eagle for an Emperor,

a Gyrfalcon for a King;

a Peregrine for a Prince,

a Saker for a Knight,

a Merlin for a Lady;

a Goshawk for a Yeoman,

a Sparrowhawk for a Priest,

a Musket for a Holy water Clerk,

a Kestrel for a Knave.”

The Boke of St. Albans, 1486

Pen and wash on paper 50x35cm. The pen was a homemade cola pen, used with Indian ink to capture the strength of the bird, while the watercolour washes captured its lightness and the way it hovers. Windhover is one of the beautiful old English names for the the kestrel. I used to see them in the field opposite our house, but sadly they are not such frequent visitors nowadays.