Hello, my lovely Equiworld readers!
It's Emma here, a grey mare with a heart of gold and a head full of stories. I come from the beautiful Hayfield near Aberdeen, Scotland, a place where the wind whips through your mane and the heather is as purple as a summer sunset. Today, I want to share a little peek into life for a horse like me, in the year 1085.
I’m a draught horse, which means I'm big, strong and bred to pull loads. I’m a grey with a flowing mane and tail as white as freshly fallen snow, and though I'm already twenty years old, I still have the spirit of a youngster. I’ve worked hard all my life, pulling plows through the fields, hauling heavy carts laden with grain and even helping to carry building supplies for the new church in the village. You see, back then, horses like me were a vital part of everyone's life.
Now, 1085… let's just say things are a bit different in the world today compared to when I was a foal. That's one of the reasons I love looking back and writing these little glimpses of history on Equiworld. A whole century has gone by since 1000! That's a lot of time in a horse's life, to say nothing of the history of our kind. The Vikings were mighty, their ships even reaching as far as the Holy Land and conquering places like Constantinople. The big new church that’s been built just down the road is a testament to that. It’s dedicated to the warrior King William, whose men took over England nearly 20 years ago and built lots of stone churches throughout the land to commemorate their victory.
It seems that every day brings exciting, if slightly worrying, news from somewhere around the world. You might be thinking – as I often do - "what’s next for a good, honest working horse?" My old friend Bard, a stallion with a twinkle in his eye and a very particular chestnut coat, thinks that in this ever-changing world there'll be something for every horse, whether that means pulling carts, going to war or simply roaming free in the hills. But I am quite comfortable in my role at Hayfield, you know, and I can't imagine a life without the love and friendship of my humans.
I know many horses like me will work hard today. There’ll be plowing and sowing, carting goods and hauling wood. I bet there are some who will even be carrying soldiers. But even those horses, whether they are in far off lands or close to home, have one thing in common: a deep love for the wild beauty of the land, the companionship of their fellow creatures and the comfort of their own stable.
Just thinking about it reminds me of my favorite part of the day – after the chores are done and the sun dips low over the Hayfield hills. My humans are sitting in their simple chairs by the fireside. A thick stew pot is bubbling on the hearth and the air is fragrant with wood smoke. They don't have all those grand castles and grand banquets as they did in the grand old days that they like to tell me about, but there’s something peaceful and kind about simple living. And if I'm lucky, there’ll be a nice warm bale of hay, soft straw and an extra lick of oats to end my day.
So here's a toast from Emma, the Hayfield mare, to all the horses of 1085! To good food, kind humans, strong friendships and the feeling of a cool breeze blowing through your mane as you graze peacefully in the long grass. We may be a different kind of world than we were in those earlier centuries and we certainly don’t know what the future holds, but for now, I feel quite happy being a horse in 1085, doing what horses do best – helping to make the world a better place one hoovestep at a time.
**Love and Neighs,
Emma**
But, what was happening for horses in 1085?
Besides being working companions in the lives of people, the world of horses in 1085 was actually a place of constant innovation and change. So let's take a little tour through that world and see what kind of things were taking place that year…
New Horses for New World:
The first thing that struck me when I started doing some digging about horse life in 1085 was the amazing journey of new horses into Europe from distant lands. You see, these weren't just any horses; they were bred for speed, for endurance and for battle. You might even call them some kind of "super horse," a bit like we have modern-day racing horses. And guess where they came from? That's right, they came all the way from North Africa – beautiful Barb horses, with lean muscular bodies and stamina to match. Their introduction caused a sensation, and changed things forever! You can't imagine how fast these horses were, and this is how the horses of 11th century Europe took a huge leap forward in speed, agility, and strength!
What Horses were Being Bred?:
As a draught horse, I must admit that the arrival of the swift and slender Barb was a source of curiosity and maybe even a little bit of jealousy for me – but the world needs horses of all kinds, wouldn't you agree? That's why different breeds, from stout draft horses like myself to smaller and nimbler ponies were still being bred throughout Europe. Some were used to pull carts for trade, and for transporting goods throughout the kingdoms. Others hauled wood, dragged plows and tilled the fields that provided sustenance. And others even helped fishermen drag their heavy nets along the shores, hauling in the bounty of the sea.
Horses in War:
It’s difficult for a gentle horse like myself to imagine being in a war, with my gentle spirit, and even my sturdy body. But sadly, horses play a crucial part in the bloody wars that mark this era, just as they would throughout many centuries after. The Battle of Hastings, 20 years earlier, saw hundreds of warhorses in action - fierce animals, bearing fearless knights on their backs. Imagine the roar of battle, the clanging of swords, and the shouts of the warriors… a scary sight indeed, though many were as scared as I am!
However, this wasn't all. Cavalry, which are basically mounted troops, were essential. In 1085, Europe is teeming with kings vying for power, and it’s difficult to achieve much power without the force of a large, well-trained cavalry behind you. It's these horses who play an integral part in maintaining the stability, or lack of it, in the kingdoms. They are fast and fierce, trained for battle and prepared for a fight.
Horses on the Farm:
And finally, let’s not forget the quiet heroes of 1085 – the farm horses, just like me. Without us, people simply couldn't thrive! You might say we are like a second family for our farmers. We make up a fundamental part of the fabric of daily life in 1085, helping to feed the kingdoms and transport vital goods and provisions. From hauling plows in the spring and gathering crops in the autumn to pulling wagons for market days and ferrying water to thirsty villages, horses like me play an vital role in the farming life of the times.
The World’s a Wonderful Place for a Horse…
And so, my dear Equiworld friends, that’s life for horses like me in 1085. It was a time of both peace and strife. We’ve seen the rise and fall of powerful kingdoms. We’ve heard stories whispered by wind that carried the scent of adventure from distant lands. We've even glimpsed the beginnings of new breeds that would revolutionize the world of horses for centuries to come.
From working horses to battle steeds, the year 1085 saw horses in all their varied and remarkable glory, proving their strength, resilience and essential role in the lives of the people they serve. It may seem long ago and very different from the world we live in today, but one thing remains constant: a horse’s love for the open fields, the wind blowing through their mane, and the simple pleasures of companionship and a good lick of oats!
I’ll leave you with some questions for next week's post: * Do you have a favorite horse breed? * What are your thoughts on the importance of horses throughout history?
I’m so looking forward to your thoughts. Next week, I’ll take a look at a day in the life of a warhorse in 1085! And as always, take care and let your hooves run free!
**Love and Neighs,
Emma**
