Posted by Emma, Hayfield near Aberdeen, Scotland
Greetings, dear fellow equines, from the highlands of Scotland! It's Emma here, and this week we're going to delve into a fascinating moment in equine history, a time where, even for a workhorse like myself, the air hummed with exciting change: 1417 AD.
Oh, where to even start! 1417 was a year of bustling activity, a symphony of hooves, and an echo of those thrilling, long-ago years where horses were the pulse of life. While I, a stalwart draught horse, may not have had the glamour of a noble steed, I tell you, that doesn't diminish the value of my work. You see, our lives are intricately woven into the fabric of society.
Let's journey back to the fields of Hayfield. As a young mare, 1417 was just a glimmer on the horizon, but for the seasoned mares and geldings around me, there was a tangible shift in the air, a sense of purpose as vibrant as the heather blooming on the hillsides. It wasn't just the biting wind that carried change; there was a buzz, an eagerness that hummed in the rhythm of our work.
I was young, just turned twenty. Not yet seasoned for the hard tasks of pulling plows or hauling wagons, but strong and full of energy. You see, dear friends, horses aren't born into a set job. We learn, we adapt, and we grow into our purpose.
But that year, 1417, the year the wind changed, as they say, something remarkable was happening across the kingdoms, and I knew, even in my youth, it would have lasting repercussions. King Henry V, who many of you will remember from his grand exploits in the Hundred Years’ War, had been a skilled equestrian himself. A powerful force on horseback, some say he led his soldiers into battle, and through the very heart of the French lines, his mount never faltering. He became a figure of legend, a warrior who, as it was told, commanded not just men, but beasts of burden too.
There were whispers in Hayfield about King Henry's prowess on horseback, even his skill at breeding warhorses, a passion passed down to his men, and that in itself meant something for us, you see. For King Henry had a vision, and as the rumors spread, it was easy to feel that it touched every farm and every field.
And the most talked about of all was the establishment of the Royal Stud. King Henry, it seemed, believed that a good warhorse could turn the tide of battle. Not just any warhorse would do. It needed to be brave, intelligent, and resilient – just like us. A strong steed for a mighty warrior. So he decreed, as they said, that all through his dominion, from Edinburgh's castles to Dover's shores, there were to be breeding programmes that favoured not only speed and strength, but courage. This, of course, meant a shift in how we were managed. Our lives as working horses were about to become a little more organised. But for me, that meant a chance for a finer life too. For the young, bold foals born of that era were the most sought after. They became a breed of warhorse unmatched, as powerful as they were graceful. I must admit, even though a humble draught horse, I felt a tinge of pride as news filtered down, from stable to stable, across the land. They spoke of 'the King's Horse', almost as if he was the only one! But this movement impacted everyone.
Now, in our world, a gentle giant like me, hauling hay in the crisp air of the Highlands, isn't glamorous, you may say. But we, the stalwart beasts of the field, played an equally crucial role in this changing world. The King’s vision didn't just encompass warhorses. There was also a renewed focus on the working horse. Those sturdy, loyal steeds who could pull plows and transport goods, like myself, were also celebrated for their tireless service.
And this change affected our own lives in Hayfield too. The Laird, who we all knew, was a bit of a hothead, but the king's pronouncements seemed to have calmed him a bit, or at least kept him from being overly harsh with the work schedule. This change trickled down, like water through the meadows. Suddenly, not only did we have the promise of more respect, there were also opportunities for a better life. Better food, cleaner stables, a feeling of being cared for that wasn't just necessary for survival. This new era for horses wasn't a battle fought with hooves, it was one fought with patience, determination, and yes, even love.
There were changes in breeding practices, too, all in pursuit of greater efficiency and durability. Now, that's not to say everything was idyllic! We were still expected to work hard, pull our weight, and often even share the load with the ox teams, and the long hours of hauling timber through the hills didn't always suit my aging joints! I wouldn't trade it for anything.
There was something wonderfully grounding about our simple work in the Highlands. I recall those early morning mists settling on the hills, their silence disturbed only by the crunch of our hooves and the gruff, kindly voice of our handler, guiding us, encouraging us. We were an unassuming band of workhorses, each one of us a living tapestry of strength, patience, and resilience. I was one amongst many, each of us a humble but vital link in the grand tapestry of Scottish life.
Even though this was a turning point in the history of horses, don't mistake that for something extravagant. Life in Hayfield wasn't always about galloping across battlefields or standing proudly before a King. There was something beautiful about the simplicity of our tasks, about being one with the earth, a humble participant in the rhythmic heartbeat of a nation. And that's where I felt my real strength – in the day-to-day routines, in the sense of purpose, and in the knowing glances we exchanged as we trudged side by side through the fields. I may have been just a humble workhorse, but my hooves echoed a rhythm as old as the hills themselves.
You know, fellow horses, our stories, our journey through time, isn't always one of war and grand displays of power. Often it's in the subtle shifts, in the silent dedication, and the unspoken bonds forged through hardship and shared experience. In 1417, even with the clamour of King Henry's vision echoing in our ears, I still remember the calm beauty of the Highlands, the rustling of the wind in the heather, the comforting familiarity of our routines. We lived and we worked, not in grand showrooms but in the quiet majesty of our daily life, pulling carts, guiding ploughs, contributing to the lifeblood of our nation.
As we turn the page on 1417, I leave you with this, my dear equine companions. Remember the little things, the moments of shared quiet, the camaraderie, and the satisfaction of a good day's work. These are the real treasures, and the truest measure of a horse's spirit. For it's not just what we do, but how we do it, that truly defines our legacy. And let’s not forget, no matter our size or strength, each and every horse contributes in a way unique to us, a testament to the power and beauty of the horse throughout history.
Stay tuned for our next historical blog! We'll be exploring even more captivating moments from the rich tapestry of horse history!
Love, Emma, Hayfield near Aberdeen.
www.equiworld.org
Emma is just one horse with one perspective. I think it is worth adding some information on what was actually happening in the year 1417! Here are some points that give a bit more factual insight!
- King Henry V of England (Not Scotland). Henry V is indeed the English monarch you mentioned! It's crucial to get the monarch and their land right when you're writing about this era. King Henry V was a very powerful monarch who, for many reasons, sought to conquer France. As Emma pointed out, he is famous for the battle of Agincourt, a turning point in the Hundred Years' War, and one that would secure English supremacy on the battlefield. King Henry himself may not have led a cavalry charge, however, as is often suggested, he used horsemen in clever ways on the battlefield. King Henry was well known for his warhorse! Henry also had very clear policies on how he wished to be depicted on horseback - a true man of action. However, you can see Emma's connection to the idea of warhorses, and their role in the era is significant. A few years later, in the years leading up to Henry's death, Henry introduced laws making horses more of a currency for trade! Imagine having a 'horse as your currency!
- War horses were changing: Emma mentioned that new warhorses were being created, which is true. A 'heavy' breed, or those known for strength and resilience, would have been vital to carrying armour and carrying men for the English battles against French forces. These heavier breeds were very valuable - a great steed could be worth more than a manor house! A well trained warhorse was truly invaluable! There is plenty of written documentation on these warhorses, showing just how highly regarded they were by all involved.
- Royal Studs: Emma is also right on the money with the Royal Stud! This time, rather than a personal vision of King Henry V, the concept of a 'Royal Stud' existed centuries before, and had been put in place by the monarchy to produce steeds fit for battle, to support knights who would ultimately defend the Crown. You can see, in this context, just how valuable war horses would have been!
- Farming horses still had a major part to play: It's absolutely true that farming horses also experienced some changes during this period. While much of the UK, and particularly Scotland, had already moved to ox-led agriculture, the horse was still in demand. And you see here Emma's experience; a horse could well pull carts and wagons alongside, and perhaps in tandem, with oxen teams.
1417 was a fascinating moment for horse-kind! We saw huge changes that would influence life not only for warhorses, but also for those of us who were content to pull a cart in the lowlands, or through the fields! We were a part of this time! The warhorses, although bred in these stud farms, still worked in agriculture - horses were very important.
