Greetings, fellow equines and horse-lovers! Emma here, a grey mare with a flowing white mane and tail, writing to you from my humble stable in Hayfield, near Aberdeen, Scotland. It’s the year 1362, and the air here is thick with anticipation and a whisper of the future. I’m about to share some fascinating things that have been happening in the world of horses, but first, let me introduce myself properly.
You see, I'm a draught horse. I'm sturdy and strong, bred for pulling heavy loads. I can plough the fields, haul wagons, and even carry riders – though, that’s not my usual duty. My purpose is work, and I wouldn't have it any other way. The rhythmic crunch of my hooves on the ground, the feeling of strength in my muscles as I pull, the satisfying plod of the cartwheels – these are my joys.
Life as a draught horse isn't all about hard work though. My stablemates, fellow mares like Agnes and Beatrice, are my dearest friends. We share gossip, graze side-by-side in the meadow, and find moments of peace together even amidst the constant demand for our strength. And then there are the humans who care for us.
Most of the humans around here, the farm folk, are kind. They know each of us by name, they speak to us gently, and they appreciate the effort we put into every task. It's a life of hard work, yes, but it's also a life of trust, a sense of being a part of something bigger than ourselves. And sometimes, on a moonlit night, we are allowed to graze free in the meadow, with nothing but the whisper of the wind and the distant call of an owl for company. These are my moments of pure bliss.
But now, back to the heart of this post – what is happening in the world of horses in the year 1362? A lot, it turns out!
A Time of War and Warriors:
Firstly, it's a time of great upheaval in our world. A dark cloud hangs over Europe, casting its shadow across every aspect of life, including the lives of horses like me. You see, the Black Death swept through a few years ago, taking so many lives, human and animal alike. The memory of those terrible days, with so many falling ill and succumbing to the sickness, is still vivid. Yet, in this time of grief, there are also glimmers of hope and courage.
A war is brewing in the land. The Scots are battling against the English, and, like a thread woven into the very fabric of life, horses are central to everything. Their strength is what carries the knights into battle. The charge of the cavalry, with their hooves thundering on the earth, is a breathtaking sight – even though it is the stuff of nightmares for many of us.
A friend of mine, a mare called Elspeth, was bred to be a warhorse, one of the prized mounts for the knights. She was taken to the castle recently, her coat shining like polished silver. I saw the pride in her eyes and knew that despite the danger, she felt an honour to be part of this grand affair.
But horses aren't just about war, of course.
In fact, in this era, we're finding ourselves woven deeply into the fabric of human society. We are the lifeblood of trade, moving goods and people from one village to the next. My sturdy legs have walked countless miles, pulling laden carts over cobbled streets and dirt tracks, helping to transport necessities to those in need.
It’s also an era of burgeoning agricultural innovation. The humans are learning new techniques to farm more effectively, to sow crops faster and produce more food for the communities. I find it rather fascinating watching them – humans are curious creatures, always trying to improve their lives, and often it’s us horses that make it all possible!
But all is not smooth sailing in the horse world.
With this period of war and rapid change, there are challenges. Disease spreads quickly, even amongst the horses. I can’t forget the many horses I've seen succumb to the “cold,” a persistent ailment that saps their energy and weakens them. And yet, the human's dedication to finding ways to protect us, to find treatments for illnesses and care for us even when we're unwell, never ceases to amaze me.
And then there are the challenges brought by the changing human ways. The use of iron horses (that’s what I call the strange carriages and carts, propelled by no force but their own) is steadily increasing, especially in the bustling city centres. Some say it's a new dawn for transportation, others worry it threatens our very existence. But all of us horses share one hope, a hope that our strength and resilience will remain valued, that our role in society won't fade into obscurity.
I write all this to say that being a horse in the year 1362 is an experience unlike any other. We are part of a world changing before our eyes. The fate of the human race, the fortunes of the great kingdoms, all are entwined with us, our strong limbs and gentle souls.
It’s an era of uncertainty, and for many, a time of struggle. Yet, through it all, I hold onto my faith in the resilience of our spirit, the bonds we have forged with humans, and the timeless power of hope. We are horses. And we are here to stay.
Till next time, my fellow equines! Stay safe, be strong, and never stop believing in the magic that lies within our hooves.
Emma
P.S. Don't forget to leave your own comments on this post. I would love to hear your own experiences and reflections from this period. And maybe even share your own stories!
