Hello, my fellow equines!
It's Emma here, from the rolling green fields of Hayfield near Aberdeen. The crisp Scottish air has been nipping at my hooves this morning, and I can't help but feel a frisson of excitement as I sit down to write my latest blog post.
As you all know, I'm a huge history buff – especially when it comes to our own magnificent equine ancestry. And this year, 1405 AD, has been an absolute doozy. It's like watching one of those grand history paintings unfold right before our very eyes.
Now, you might be thinking, "1405, what's so special about that year?" Well, my dear friends, hold your stirrups – it was the year of the Golden Crop! Yes, a bumper harvest, with fields overflowing with golden grain, was the highlight of the year. This brought joy and plenty to all, humans and horses alike.
For me, the Golden Crop meant endless meadows to graze in. My mane and tail, already the envy of all the greys in Hayfield, became even glossier, flowing like the silken tassels on the ladies' gowns. The farmer's wife even declared me the “Queen of the Meadow”, a title I carry with pride.
But, of course, life is more than just good eats. The year 1405 was also the year we learned some truly fascinating things about our role in the world, the things we've been doing, and how the human world is shaped by the incredible relationship with us. Let's dive right into it!
1405: Horses and the Making of History
I started 1405 a little unsure, but it wasn't long before the excitement started. Just before spring arrived, the local smith, old Angus, was busy making new horseshoes for me and the other workhorses in the village. That always meant a new year, a fresh start. It was like putting on a brand new coat.
I even saw a little mare who just started pulling a cart, a shiny new one painted red, and she looked just as proud as a peacock, even though she was trembling a little at first. I think Angus might have made those shoes with special magical properties - it sure was hard to avoid being proud when they were on.
It turned out to be a year of big changes in the human world. I heard the blacksmith muttering about something called "The Hundred Years War." It was something like an enormous game of chase with pointy sticks, played out between countries, though it sounded less than pleasant.
Luckily, none of us Hayfield horses were involved. We were kept busy working in the fields, pulling heavy plows, helping with hay making, and transporting goods to and from the nearby market town. The world was buzzing, as humans would say. The markets were packed, and the townsfolk were happy.
There was a real sense of abundance, a "let's celebrate" feeling. We felt it, too. The farmer had extra hay, a whole extra bundle to tuck away for the winter. My owner even offered me an extra bucket of oats when we had our weekly weigh-in!
But here's the thing – horses have always been vital for this "making of history." We have always been so much more than just a beautiful creature! In 1405, this was very obvious. For the men at the nearby castle, their warhorses were essential to their daily lives.
For the ladies, especially the ones at court, their palfreys (the fancy, beautifully groomed horses with bridles all adorned with feathers and jewels) were not just horses; they were a statement of power, status, and wealth. Imagine being in such a special place, getting the most lavish care imaginable, dressed to the nines, and carried by an animal, just for them, for pure luxury and delight. It sounded like a fairy tale, but then I was in Scotland, a land full of fairies and magic, after all!
Horses and Our Roles: Not Just About Work
During that Golden Crop year, something incredible happened that really set my hooves tapping with excitement. A band of travelling actors stopped at our village. Now, humans in those days were quite theatrical – all pomp and grandness - so this group caused quite a stir. But guess what – they had horses too!
Two horses in fact. One, a chestnut stallion called “Cassius,” played the noble warhorse, the heroic steed galloping across the battlefield, the kind of character who saves the day in grand, dramatic, and powerful fashion. He was truly amazing - I almost forgot he was actually wearing a red, velvet cloak and even had a silver spur, tied to his saddle!
Then, the other was called “Princess." She was a black filly with beautiful chestnut-coloured markings on her legs, playing the "fair lady's steed." She wasn't just for transport – she was the centerpiece of some incredibly clever human stories.
I even heard someone remark about "horses that think and feel," almost like they're little human children, ready to help people out, to stand with their riders through everything. This got me thinking... even the poorest beggar relied on horses, either for food, transport, or work, for the clothes he wore, or the bread he could purchase. Without horses, the very idea of human life would be utterly different, if not simply impossible!
And for us, horses? It was truly satisfying to see humans acknowledge how crucial we are, and just how much our talents mattered.
Horses in Everyday Life in 1405
1405 brought the magic of our horse lives to the forefront of everything we did. There was the farmer, of course, depending on his trusty workhorses to keep his land in working order and to get his crops to market. The cobbler in town would travel from town to town with his trusty pony to peddle his shoes and repair any that needed mending. His wares made a journey in the market by cart, another horse’s gift to humans. And what about the knight with his shining armour, preparing to head off on a noble mission – could you imagine that happening without his magnificent, strong warhorse, ready and willing to race, jump, and be brave?
Even at the very start of the year, as the snow was melting from the high ground, the mailman on his trusty pony carried messages all the way from Hayfield down to the town below. This is what kept us working, of course – connecting people, sharing information, spreading good news, and ensuring everyone got what they needed.
Of course, life in Hayfield, even with all the Golden Crop goodness, isn't always a barrel of oats. But every morning I feel that same excited tingle, every time I wake up in the stables and know it's another chance to work and play and enjoy life with the farmer, his wife, and the little one who is learning to lead me from the lead rope.
And now, just imagine 1405. Picture our lovely world. Humans bustling about, fields brimming with the Golden Crop, blacksmiths ringing their hammers. I imagine our little grey colt (with a white streak on his face like a star), the new little fella I am teaching all the things he needs to know, being able to work with dignity and strength, just like me. The power of the horses – a beautiful thing, you know, that connects us to the Earth and all its bounty, and each other, so very much.
I just hope the rest of you are having a truly magnificent year!
See you in the next blog!
Emma
