There is a remarkable falcon that often passes through Seychelles, travelling between its breeding sites on Mediterranean islands to its winter retreat on Madagascar. It is odd that any bird should seek out an island retreat to escape the northern winter. Perhaps it evolved in Madagascar and its annual migration is a pilgrimage to its ancestral roots? It is also the only European bird of prey to breed late in the season, which enables it to feed its chicks on the bounty provided by the large number of other migrant birds passing through the Mediterranean in the late summer months. This is Eleonora’s Falcon; but who was Eleonora?

Princess Eleonora was born on Sardinia in the 14th century and led a remarkable life. She was married off to a nobleman at an early age by her father (ruler of one of the four provinces of the island). Faced with rebellion, her husband proved cowardly in battle and deserted. However in the face of defeat, Eleonora rode out at the head of her faithful troops and led them to victory. The rebels swore allegiance to her eldest son, but Eleonora became regent and effective leader. After further scuffles over the next four years, peace and prosperity was brought to her province of Arborea.

Despite years of war, Eleonora found time to frame a body of laws far in advance of many of the greater powers of Europe. These dealt with the problems of the day, such as sheep stealing, so that anyone possessing a sheepskin had to prove its origin. Fire could have devastating consequences on a dry island, so starting fires was banned with punishment for arson ranging from loss of a hand in the countryside to death by burning in towns. This might sound tough but in the 14th century, these measures were deemed reasonable.

Eleonora’s laws also included protection for falcons breeding on the island. Anyone taking eggs or birds faced the punishment of a hefty fine. Perhaps motives could be questioned here? Falconry was a sport of the nobility and the laws were designed to preserve the elitist sport. Nevertheless, they were genuine conservation laws that aimed to preserve a natural asset for future generations.

Today, many people embrace conservation in Seychelles because of the modern day sport of tourism. Again, there is nothing wrong with that. If the environment has an economic value then preserving that value is good conservation.

In 1403 or 1404 (no one is certain which), Princess Eleonora died from the plague. She is remembered to this day as the greatest national heroine of Sardinia. In 1881, a huge marble statue was erected in the town of Oristano, with side panels depicting her military and civil achievements. Another timeless memorial was created by the Italian zoologist, Guiseppe Gené, the first man to describe the falcons that benefited from Eleonora’s visionary laws. He gave the name “Eleonora’s Falcon” to commemorate “her admirable wisdom in the century of barbarities in which she reigned to protect the honour, the life and the goods of the people.”

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