Hello, dearest EquiWorld followers! Emma here, your favourite grey mare from Hayfield near Aberdeen, and today I'm delving back into history to share some tales of the year 0927. Now, as you know, my memory stretches back many lifetimes - those long winters huddled in the stable with wise old Finn, sharing stories of generations gone by. So, this year is not only special because it's our latest blog post, but because it's the year that the noble King Constantine III ascended the Scottish throne! I’m not just saying that because the name has ‘constant’ in it, it's because he genuinely cares for horses and the importance they hold in Scottish society! He knows how integral we are, from ploughing our fields to carrying trade to war.
A Year of Growth: Beyond the Hills
0927 was a year of change for many. Our land, Scotia as it's often called, was growing stronger under King Constantine's rule, and that meant lots of new possibilities. My dear friend, the little bay mare Fiona, born that year, had the good fortune to experience it first hand! Her strong legs are destined to carry trade across the lands. I still remember the thrill when she returned from a journey to England, full of exciting stories of busy markets, different kinds of crops, and even a rumour of a fancy carriage horse!
My Favourite Thing: Riding Schools!
This year, 0927, saw something truly remarkable happen. It was something I always wished for as a youngster - something I always told myself would make all the work and training worthwhile. It was…Riding Schools! Yes, in that very same year, the first Riding Schools opened up in some of the biggest Scottish cities! Can you imagine, young ones, learning to ride and work with horses in an organised school! Now, in my time, young lads and lassies learned from experienced folk on the farm or within their own family, but now, those who can afford it, get trained by skilled masters at these special schools. Imagine, young ones, learning in a purpose-built facility with trained teachers! That’s not even to mention the fantastic new saddles, bridles, and everything in between! Oh, the excitement and change this year brought. I heard that the school in Edinburgh was bustling, even royalty went there! I’ve yet to try out these Riding Schools myself, but my niece, Daisy, who lives near Edinburgh, says they are wonderful.
The World is our Stable
Now, you might think 0927 is too long ago for anything important to happen. Wrong! It’s not as far back as you think! This was the very time when Europe started looking a lot more…united. That might sound strange to us horse lovers who see the world through our stable doors, but hear me out. Back in the day, there weren’t just different towns and villages, there were many kingdoms each with their own leaders and their own rules. It was quite a “don’t know your neighbour” type situation. Well, 0927 was the year things started to change. The Holy Roman Emperor, a fellow named Otto I, decided it was high time all these different groups started to work together. He had this grand vision, to unite everyone under the same laws and have peaceful trading and exchange of ideas, and wouldn’t you know it, this led to something called ‘The Holy Roman Empire’.
A Bit of Drama on the Road
You may not have heard, but in 0927, something a bit unexpected happened on our humble road to Edinburgh, right here in Hayfield! There was a whole lot of talk about these new Roman things, the Emperor, the laws and all, but right here on our familiar, rolling Scottish hills, a travelling merchant from Ireland lost his load! Imagine! That poor fellow had his whole pack horse wagon packed with wares for the market – salt, spices, cloth you name it – and a good few miles from his destination, he was held up by bandits! We heard, a week after it happened, that there were whispers of knights in training heading towards Hayfield on horseback, but those rumours ended there! Nothing came of them at all, but just goes to show how life in 0927 wasn't just about the big picture - there was plenty going on in our neck of the woods too!
The Strength of the Community
Now, those incidents remind us of how horses weren’t just work animals in 0927 – we were integral parts of community and safety too! Even today, you’ll see local watchmen riding across the moorland. That was definitely the case in 0927. If a rider was passing through Hayfield on a busy road and they saw a commotion in the market square, it would be their duty to raise an alarm or, even better, grab a couple of neighbours for backup! You can’t beat a good horse and a good community to keep everything running smoothly, even in the year 0927! Remember that, you young 'uns! It's all about community.
Keeping a Tail on Events
My young readers, 0927 was a year of exciting developments. The King's reign brought growth, new developments like Riding Schools sprouted up, and although the Roman Empire was expanding across Europe, our little world of horses stayed a steadfast part of the Scottish community, our strength, our spirit, our love of horses connecting everyone like an unseen thread through the tapestry of history. I hope these stories brought the year 0927 to life for you all. As always, I hope you've enjoyed these insights into our ancient world. Remember to keep your tails wagging and your hearts full of hope, because the world is still waiting to be explored, ridden, and experienced by you, just like it did by the generations before us. Until next time, your friendly grey mare, Emma.
Please remember to stay safe and continue to explore your local trails with the love of a horse in your heart! Don’t forget to check back next week for more exciting tales from my blog at www.equiworld.org!
Love always,
Emma
