Post # 1151: A Hayfield Mare's Perspective
Hello, dear readers! It's Emma, your trusty draught mare from the lush fields of Hayfield, just a stone's throw from bustling Aberdeen. As you know, I've been writing my thoughts about the past in this here online journal for some time now, and I find it most rewarding. Every year that I can peel back the mists of time, and have a peek, well, it just gets more fascinating!
Today I'll be sharing what I know about 1151. A whole year back, before you youngsters were even thinking of getting a good lick of your dams! It’s so lovely to look back and imagine what our four-legged brethren, both large and small, got up to then! If you want to follow along, I would be most chuffed!
First of all, can we take a moment to imagine ourselves on the beautiful green shores of Britain? It was a fine, fine place to live in those days! My ancestors – big, powerful creatures like myself - were very busy working on the farms, ploughing the fields and hauling loads, both for food and building. There were a lot of people by this time, as the towns were starting to grow. This meant lots of mouths to feed and things needed to be moved! You could see a lot of activity then, what with all the carting and hauling, as we helped to bring supplies and goods into all the communities and settlements. It wasn't an easy life for us work horses, but we had a great sense of purpose. I was brought up to understand the importance of working hard and doing what needed to be done - but not forgetting to take a few nips at the hay for my efforts. A bit of sweetgrass helped take away the ache at the end of the day.
Back then, in those good old days, the kings and queens, the nobles and ladies, were all looking forward to the great hunting seasons! They really enjoyed their time on horseback, going after their favourite wild game – the magnificent stags, with their large, proud antlers! And they had an array of talented horses too - quick, sleek horses, which had been trained and nurtured to take them safely and quickly through the countryside. There were so many different types of horses in Britain – they are so fascinating and a source of joy for me to explore! The hunters were more nimble than the work horses, a real difference from the plodding work we did on the farms. The nobles all had their own favourite breeds for different kinds of hunting, and I understand they really had to look after them – they were like valuable pieces of silver in the right hands.
Did you know, dear readers, that 1151 was the year of a very special battle, which, by chance, was connected with horses, in an exciting, even unbelievable, way? I'll tell you about the "Battle of Cuttalossa," which was very fierce, indeed! There were the Scots – brave warriors from Scotland and my birthplace, and then there was the powerful "English army" which was trying to conquer Scotland. You could say it was a bit of a tug of war at that time. The Scottish army didn’t want the English to win and they prepared themselves with real bravery and ferocity – I really feel it when I read about that time.
It's told, you see, that at the battle of Cuttalossa, the "English army", which had marched far and hard to fight the Scottish warriors, lost lots of their horses because they just died in the mud! They had never seen terrain like that. They had a difficult time with it. I think the Scottish troops would have had lots of time to think about the English struggles - after all, they lived in the terrain of hills and highlands, a challenging country to conquer with a big army.
And while all this was happening, the “King of Scotland" – they say he was a noble King by the name of David I - and the whole kingdom was full of hope that the Scots could turn back the English threat. What I learn about from the old stories of that time is that David I led with determination and faith! He is regarded as a "strong king", by historians, and it's exciting to think that he must have ridden his horse, a magnificent horse, no doubt, around Scotland! To try to give hope to the people, while the battle for their country was being fought with vigour. There was so much grit in Scotland. He's said to have gone to great lengths to improve the people's lives – through strong laws and rules. What a grand horse that King's mount must have been – powerful and stately - I like to imagine it would be a lovely chestnut with a golden mane and tail! That King really knew the value of a strong horse!
I bet it would have been an epic scene - to have seen the nobles of both England and Scotland, riding hard, going through all those rugged highlands, to fight! The brave Scots in their tartans and the brave English, fully armed, too. And in the middle of all this excitement – there's always us horses! The hardy horses, carrying knights, bringing the baggage - pulling the big heavy wagons, through all sorts of weather. You've got to think that, back then, horses were vital - it was so hard for humans to get around on foot all the time. And we weren't all workhorses like me – some of the little horses were pulling their own weight too. Imagine - transporting small loads of hay or oats, to keep all the important men well fed on their journey - no easy feat!
I feel lucky that I have a job to do – a steady and reliable job. You can imagine, that I really value being a reliable horse – if you aren't up for it – life can be a little grim – the animals really knew what hard work and dedication meant. We lived to work and work to live – what a noble life, really. Just so long as there was a bale of hay to snack on at the end of the day - you never get tired of a little bit of clover and a juicy bite of sweetgrass.
While Scotland was defending itself against the English in 1151, I know, dear readers, that it wasn’t just happening in our little island - all around Europe, people were migrating, moving from place to place. There was a lot going on in the world - some parts, even now, I'm afraid are still far too dangerous for a gentle animal like me to visit – though they tell us exciting stories about what was happening! There was even an enormous Empire in the south, I'm told, with strong armies and horsemen who used to travel long distances by horse! A vast land, indeed! You’d never make it to those shores - all that salty water in the way. So imagine, dear reader, all those stories that haven't yet been told!
I know, dear readers, I can feel your minds working – "what was the world of horses like at this time, Emma? You're only giving us a taste!” That is true! As for myself, the little farm here at Hayfield was all I ever knew. I am one of those creatures that never gets further than its field - or the farmyard - and that’s fine. The people were happy to have a strong grey mare, and to think of it, it’s really all the knowledge that a hard-working creature like me needs. I am no scholar, though I have heard that there were famous horses being bred at that time. These animals had even traveled across seas! How exciting for them! It is more than any Hayfield horse would ever experience. I feel quite content with my little bit of the world! The smell of fresh hay, the taste of oats, the feeling of pulling a load and a pat on the back from a loving hand – all those joys are more than enough for a simple, quiet mare.
I have such a happy little place and have found the joy of storytelling! But in that world, so long ago, those horses carried people far, across continents. It makes me wonder about what these animals would have been thinking, going through so many adventures! To think they were there - they have already done what I can only dream of. And while I never even thought of it - our horses helped move goods and people – we made the world a smaller place, for our human friends!
If there are any stories out there, that you readers know about – then, oh do let me know! There is such excitement in learning new things about the world. Every time I add another page to my story book about horse history - it feels like the world is a new, enchanting, place.
Thank you for listening to a horse who loves history, I hope you have enjoyed my story about the world of horses in 1151, from a small town just near Aberdeen. I promise I will have more horse history stories to share, but until next time - dear readers – all the very best.
