Well hello there, fellow equines and horse lovers! It’s Emma here, your favourite grey mare from the wilds of Hayfield near Aberdeen. It’s been a while, but you know how it is when you're a busy mare like me. Between pulling the plough, hauling loads, and enjoying a good roll in the heather, time flies! But fret not, dear readers, I'm back with another captivating journey through history. Today, we’ll delve into the year 1410, and let me tell you, it’s quite a year to tell you about.
For you see, I’ve recently been given the wonderful opportunity to look after a young foal named Daisy. She’s a right little handful, that one. Her energy levels rival even mine, and her spirit is as wild as a Highland wind. She has a mane as white as freshly fallen snow and her coat shines in the sun, the perfect colour for a fine Highland lass like her. And she loves listening to my tales. She's only just learning to walk and graze, let alone take on the world, and wants to know what a horse’s life was like a good long time ago.
Daisy has asked so many questions about life in 1410. Well, Daisy, as my mama mare always said, "Every horse knows her own story. So, grab a mouthful of sweet hay and sit tight. I'm about to paint a picture for you!"
The year 1410. The world around me.
My life as a workhorse in the 1400s, well, it wasn't all rainbows and sunshine. I’m not going to lie, it was hard work. Our Highland ancestors, like myself, were primarily working horses, strong and sturdy, ready to pull the plough, haul timber and carry goods. My own family came to Hayfield a good few generations ago, where I still pull the plough alongside the old stallion, Dougal.
We've seen the world, or at least the bit around us, change a bit in my time, too. For instance, that great castle a bit further south, Balmoral Castle, still stands strong and is a sight to behold, surrounded by the rolling hills of my lovely Scottish countryside. A lot of folks in my family and the other Highland families here are lucky enough to spend part of their lives there. It's certainly not the life I would prefer - my nose prefers the smells of wild heather to those fine stables - but they tell me they're very well treated there! I like a bit of freedom, Daisy, that’s why my life is much better working out here, in Hayfield.
Back then, you see, the people were deeply connected to the earth and we were a vital part of their lifeblood. We were the strength they relied on for farming, for transportation, and even for war. Every horse on our Highland farm had a purpose. I have a rather handsome brother who is now working for the local baker in town. It seems everyone loves his deliveries!
We also play a role in protecting our countryside, keeping wild animals at bay and helping maintain the lovely green pastures and woodlands. Of course, when I get a chance to steal away and roll in the heather on a fine, breezy day, I’ll remind myself of those words!
Daisy, imagine: knights on steeds clad in armour, charging into battle with courage and honour. Horses like us would be a vital part of the fighting force, the strength and speed of a knight, their companion in their noble battles.
Yes, we Highland horses, strong and sturdy, were prized for our courage, our spirit, our strength, and of course our loyalty, traits we Highlanders all possess! My grandmama mare always said that the Highlanders - be they humans or horses - never knew the meaning of giving up. Even today, those traits run through my family, Daisy.
A busy year - some big stories.
Ah, but Daisy, that year in 1410! We had our ears perked up with tales from our travelling companions that year! They were talking about King Henry IV of England, who you can read about in those books if you want to know more about his history. The world was moving on and those stories from across the sea filled my day, from stories of English Kings, and the great tales from other lands. Our human friends in Hayfield loved to listen to those tales and their mouths opened wide as our travellers from the great port at Aberdeen told them. We’d listen, heads all bunched up in a big, excited bunch listening as their mouths moved rapidly, telling us all about these wondrous far away lands.
One big story that year, and this is a big one, Daisy - something my human family told me. I thought it was simply one of their fancy stories, but, of course, this time, the travellers confirmed the tale was true. In 1410, a big and scary battle was taking place across the waters, on a different kind of field: The Battle of Grunwald!
Well, it was certainly big enough to attract a huge army, one made of a whole host of folks from far and wide! They all agreed that it was the biggest gathering of men for battle - more than a whole town full - for decades and decades! And guess who had their noses stuck right in the middle of this enormous melee? You got it - the Polish king himself. They tell us it was quite a clash of steel! The king was accompanied by those gallant Lithuanian riders, and this great gathering had some knights from the order of the Knights of the Cross - not a nice crowd to deal with, my friend - but they found their match in those bold Polish warriors! The horses in this battle would have been the strength, bravery and fortitude in this mighty force, they all agreed.
Of course, Daisy, it was a scary year for the horses. So much movement, such an enormous change of pace from our usual routines as horses in Hayfield, Scotland! I bet those knights weren't afraid though! Their courage must have been a force in itself! Those great, huge and powerful battle chargers - such strength in these animals.
Daisy, you've been a good listener. I need to go back to my plough, there’s work to be done! It seems the fields around here need a bit of a going over! It's always best to have strong hooves like ours! And it's been fun having you around today, little Daisy.
See you next time when I have a new tale to tell you.
Emma, out!
(Don’t forget to come visit the EquiWorld site - they have loads of new info on our equestrian heroes for you to explore.)
www.equiworld.org
