"Hello, fellow equines! It's Emma, writing to you from Hayfield, near Aberdeen in bonnie Scotland. The year is 1225, and oh, how much there is to tell!"
A Glimpse of Hayfield in 1225
Let me start with my little corner of the world. It's a bit chilly here, even in summer. But we're blessed with rolling green hills, strong streams, and meadows that smell of heather and wildflowers. It's a good life for a working horse like me.
My life is largely spent pulling the plough, tilling the land for our master, Farmer Thomas. It's not the most glamorous job, I confess. But the feeling of the fresh earth under my hooves, the satisfaction of a field ready for sowing, well, it's strangely satisfying.
But don't think my days are all toil and sweat! Farmer Thomas is a kind man, and he takes good care of his horses. Every evening, we get a warm barley mash and a hearty rubdown. We're housed in sturdy stone stables, warm in winter and breezy in summer. And there's always the gentle chirping of the farm animals keeping us company.
The Wider World of Horses in 1225
But beyond my farm, there's a whole world of horse happenings. News travels slow in those days, brought by travelling merchants and monks on horseback, but you pick up snippets here and there.
Did you know, 1225 marks the beginning of a new era in the world of warhorses? There's a big talk in the north of England about the 'War Horse'. It's this magnificent new type of horse - they say he's a tall, strong steed, built for battle, with powerful legs and a noble heart. They call him the destrier, and he’s said to be crucial to the tactics of these noble knights and their armored jousts.
Back here in Scotland, though, the world of horses is different. We don't see a lot of those big-city steeds, those gleaming knightly chargers. We are the draught horses, the strong backbone of farming life. We're not fancy, no gleaming armor or feathered plumes for us. But our lives are no less important. Without us, there'd be no food to eat, no crops to harvest, no bread to bake.
Horse and Rider: A Partnership Built on Trust
I know this year a great deal of chatter is circulating about the King Henry III. The stories coming from London say he has his own royal stables - can you imagine that? And that they're overflowing with the finest horses in England. I've never met a horse of the court, but I imagine they're sleek and elegant, with long, flowing manes. Perhaps they even have names, like mine is Emma, instead of just being a 'number' on a farmer's roster.
And I know from my friend, Rowan, a swift mare who runs with the travelling merchants, that all the best riders and horses gather in big fairs throughout the year, putting on shows of horsemanship and skill, all to catch the eye of the nobility. They call them "Tournaments", I think, and I imagine they must be exciting.
Rowan tells me tales of knightly feats of strength, dazzling displays of skill on horseback. These tournaments aren't just about combat. They are, she says, as much about the relationship between man and horse. It's a dance of trust and strength, and from the stories she tells, a beautiful thing to watch.
A Horse's Heart - Forever Faithful
We don't have glittering tournaments here in the highlands. Our work is simpler, yet no less vital. Every morning, I stand by the side of Farmer Thomas, feeling his calloused hand run through my mane. It’s a reassuring feeling, knowing our partnership is more than just working side by side. There is something almost unspoken between a horse and his human.
Sometimes, when the moon is full and the night air is crisp, I like to look at the stars. I imagine my fellow horses, out there in the wide world, each living a life shaped by their breed and temperament, yet united by the simple love for this earth we walk on.
We are horses, the faithful companions, the silent partners, the backbone of society. We work, we play, and we serve, but more than anything, we feel the pull of the wild in our hearts, a constant yearning for freedom and open fields.
So, until next time, keep your heads up, your hooves strong, and your hearts open to the wonders of this vast, beautiful world!
Emma
