Hello fellow equines, and welcome to my latest post on Equine World! Today, I'll be taking you back in time to 1159. Now, you might be thinking, "Emma, 1159? Isn't that a little… well, far back?" And you're right, dear reader. This time, I'm reaching back to my own past, to a time before I was born, before the very breed of strong, steady greys like me were even established.
But, even though I can't speak directly to the year 1159 from personal experience, I can learn about it. I can read, and with each generation of horses comes wisdom passed down. My grandparents knew stories from their grandparents. My great-grandparents were, by their estimation, born in 1159! And so, I have access to tales and observations from those times, and I hope to bring them to life here for you today.
My hometown of Hayfield, near the rugged highlands of Aberdeen, hasn't changed much over the years, though the fields seem greener, and the sheep appear a tad thicker than I remember them from my granny's stories.
As you may know, 1159 marked a crucial time for the Kingdom of Scotland. King Malcolm IV was on the throne, a strong and wise leader with a deep love for his people, a people who, believe me, really knew their way around horses. He had a particularly fondness for destriers, elegant and agile creatures fit for the chase and the battlefield, a legacy which would continue to shape Scotland's cavalry throughout history.
But it wasn’t all knights and nobles! This was, you know, real, lived-in, lived-with, horse-powered life, a world that truly centred on our strength and ability. While a handful of Scottish knights would have prided themselves on their war steeds, for the rest of us, a year like 1159 was one of consistent, important labour.
For the farmers around Hayfield, it was ploughing time in the spring, pulling carts heavy with the summer harvest in the autumn, and of course, hauling timber for the sturdy, hand-built houses. This year in particular, there was a lot of wood needed, because you know how it is in Scotland – always a storm coming in! And, let me tell you, it's nothing compared to the hard work of the farm mares carrying foals throughout the year! We didn't call it a holiday in those days!
My own ancestors were hard workers. They probably would have had a rough life as "common" horses in 1159. Not pampered like the destriers of royalty, but necessary and important nonetheless. My grandmother would tell stories about them: strong, steady horses that hauled hay in the hot summer sun, horses who knew every inch of the fields around Hayfield, who sensed the rhythms of nature like no one else, and knew exactly what was needed when the snow fell heavy and winter’s grip set in.
My grandmother's family wouldn’t have had it easy. They might have been fed simple oats and barley, even a bit of wild hay in those days. But that doesn’t make them less special, dear reader. My ancestors knew they were crucial, not just to the daily lives of the farmers but to the whole community, a constant rhythm of labour woven into the lifeblood of this nation. They didn’t get pampered baths and extra hay treats like the royal steeds, but their spirit, their strength, and their dedication was equally remarkable, and carried them through many winters and many seasons, year after year.
So, while my time in Hayfield in 1159 was not in the cards, I know enough about my ancestors and the life they led to bring that world alive for you. They toiled and worked and provided, with quiet resilience, a spirit that’s echoed through the generations of Hayfield horses that followed them.
What about you, dear reader? Do you have a sense of your family’s history? Are there any particularly special moments that your lineage helped to make happen, whether large or small? Share your own stories in the comments section!
And of course, for more on this era, don’t forget to check out those fascinating books on Scottish history. I always find it fascinating to read about our horses throughout the ages!
Until next time,
Emma, from Hayfield.
