Hello fellow equines and friends! It's Emma here, your resident history enthusiast from Hayfield, near Aberdeen in Scotland. Welcome to another journey back in time with me, through the incredible history of our magnificent species. Today we are stepping back to the year 1122.
Can you imagine, 900 years ago? Back then, I wasn’t even a twinkle in a stallion's eye, but I can feel the echoes of that era whispering through my hooves and hear the whinnies of my ancestors carrying on the stories.
The year 1122 was a time of great change and excitement, even in our world of hooves and hay. It’s a year filled with fascinating stories and important happenings.
A Bit About My Family Life
Firstly, let me introduce myself! I'm a strong grey draught horse with a gleaming white mane and tail that flows like a river in the wind. I stand proudly at 16 hands tall and am renowned in my field for my strength and steady temperament. My family is a long line of farm horses - tough and sturdy, accustomed to a life of pulling ploughs and carrying burdens.
This year, I'm turning twenty, a milestone for a horse! I’ve worked alongside my mum, Clara, since I was just a colt. You’ve never seen such a dedicated mother horse – she always took such great care of me, even after I began pulling my own weight around the farm.
Life in the Farmlands of Scotland
Hayfield is a bustling place, a hive of activity with farmers, their families, and of course, us horses. The aroma of freshly turned earth and sweet, ripe barley fills the air. I am proud to say my work here, with the kind Farmer MacAllister, is valued by everyone. Without us, there’d be no wheat for the baker, no oats for our fellow horses, no barley for the brewery!
It's a hard but satisfying life. You wake to the cock’s crow, a good morning munch of hay, and then you're ready for the day's tasks. My typical day includes hauling heavy wagons full of freshly harvested produce to the village, preparing fields for the coming planting season, or transporting timber from the forest for building houses. It’s an exciting life, seeing the countryside changing around me with every passing season.
Changes on the Horizon
This year, something rather peculiar happened! It’s causing quite a stir in the local human world – they are calling it ‘The Norman Conquest’. A man called William invaded England back in 1066. However, it seems it's only just recently settled in, and now their king wants to take control of Wales as well. There's a lot of talk about fighting, battles, and knights. It's a bit frightening for us horses to hear such words, as we know those are times of chaos and uncertainty for all.
The interesting thing, however, is that with all this conflict comes the increased use of horses! They say those Norman warriors rely heavily on their warhorses - strong and fast steeds for the battlefields. Imagine all the exciting new skills they are learning! I must say, the very thought of dashing across fields, perhaps even participating in some brave feat like that, fills me with a thrilling anticipation! I only wish the fighting would pass, so that we, the horses, can live peacefully and be cherished for our hard work, not fear.
Tales of Travel and Trade
But life is not all about hard work, thankfully! My neighbour, a fine black mare named Ebony, has some fascinating stories about her journey last year. She was chosen to carry goods along the coast, from Aberdeen all the way down to London! She even tells me about bustling market towns full of merchants and people from different lands. Imagine – a mare of humble origins, travelling great distances! It fills me with such wonder to know there's a world outside of Hayfield.
A Time of Growing Interest in Our Species
The fascinating thing about this year is that horses are truly appreciated. They say King Henry of England even has a stud farm, raising only the finest horses for war! That means a huge number of horses, dedicated just for the task of fighting! Can you imagine being so important? Perhaps, just maybe, I’ll have the chance to join the world of noble war horses one day!
Moving Forward
That's all for today, my fellow horse friends! Thank you for journeying with me to the year 1122. It's truly an interesting time, filled with changing worlds, but above all, filled with hope for the future, for ourselves and our equine ancestors.
Until next time, I hope you all enjoy your time in the pastures and stables, working hard for a better future, keeping the flame of history alive, one whinny and hoofstep at a time.
*Yours sincerely, *
Emma, the grey draught horse
From Hayfield, near Aberdeen, Scotland
equiworld.org
I hope you enjoyed Emma's fascinating journey into the world of horses in 1122! Please, join her again for the next post in this equine history series. Remember to keep checking EquiWorld for updates. Happy riding, everyone!
