Hello, dear readers! Emma here, your friendly grey draught mare from Hayfield, near Aberdeen, and welcome back to my blog on all things equestrian. This week, we're taking a little trip back in time, back to the year 1418. Don't worry, I haven't gone completely bonkers; this journey is a delightful romp through horse history!
The year 1418 was a bit of a whirl when it came to horses. From battles in France to bustling city streets, and everything in between, our kind were front and centre. Imagine this: the year is 1418. Scotland is still struggling against England, but a young, fierce king named James is locked up, while his own son is still a little tyke.
The Year the French Fought for Freedom
Over in France, things are really heating up. King Henry V of England has just died, leaving the English crown to his infant son. But a cunning French general, called the Dauphin, saw this as his chance to drive out the English. They fought tooth and nail, those brave Frenchmen, but it seems like their spirit just isn't enough against the English. This was a time of intense warfare, where brave horses, like myself, would have been used for all sorts of military work - pulling carts for supplies, carrying knights into battle, and even serving as couriers carrying urgent messages across vast distances.
It was the time of the brave Knights, clad in shining armour and mounted upon their magnificent steeds. The sight would have been truly dazzling! Just imagine their powerful, elegant horses, covered in steel armour - a spectacle to behold!
I always imagined how it felt for a war horse to gallop into battle. My old granny Mare once told me stories about her great-grandsire, who had been a warhorse back when the Scots were battling with the English over that land we all love, what we call home. She said it was exciting but terrifying at the same time.
City Life & Noble Stallions
Down in London, life is pretty bustling. Imagine, horses pulling carriages through cobbled streets! All sorts of tradesmen, with their sturdy nags, are carrying wares and provisions to sell, and some are delivering beautiful silks and precious jewels for the noblemen and women who are lucky enough to live in that city.
It was also in 1418, a magnificent Arabian stallion was brought to London as a gift. Can you imagine?! Such a prized animal - surely the envy of every stable in the land! I've heard stories about these majestic horses – they’re fast, strong and sleek as lightning, with their beautiful, elegant movements and proud, intelligent faces. I can’t imagine anything more beautiful.
Of course, not all of the horses of 1418 were carrying knights or being pampered as a gift to royalty. Many were the humble workers, plodding across fields with plows and harrows. The farmers' horses in England and Scotland – sturdy and kind - were responsible for much of the land’s productivity. The heavy horses, like myself, were always vital for making the land fertile for planting. They are the silent backbone of agricultural life.
I can’t tell you what it felt like to pull a plow through rich Scottish soil. But my old granny Mare says it's like feeling part of nature’s rhythm, a sense of quiet satisfaction after a long day of hard work, followed by the reward of a full belly of hay and a safe place to rest under a starry night sky.
What About The Mares and Colts of 1418?
The mares and colts would have been hard at work as well, doing everything from tending to foals, transporting hay to the fields and barns, or running with young colts. Can you imagine those rambunctious colts? It must have been a wild ride! They say these foals had just as much fun as today’s colts, running across the fields in wild gallops, their little hooves kicking up dust and their playful snorts echoing through the air.
My old granny Mare, as usual, said the colts were as boisterous and wild as a storm on the North Sea. It must have been quite a sight, those little bundles of energy!
The Importance of Horseback Riding in 1418
Back then, horseback riding wasn’t just about travel - it was the fastest and most efficient way to move around! Imagine being a farmer, needing to go from Aberdeen all the way down to Edinburgh. It would take you days and days, and walking would be such an ordeal. With a sturdy nag, it would still be a journey but it would only take a fraction of the time.
Just imagine the stories they would share along the way. Riders would share news from towns and villages - about a bountiful harvest, a new play in the town theatre, the latest gossip or an outbreak of disease, the threat of war and invasion, and about families they encountered in the countryside.
The Horsemanship of the 1400s
There was such a sense of intimacy between horse and rider, and riders treated their mounts with respect and care. Just think about it, every journey you’d be sitting there together, each trusting the other. I often imagine what these brave riders and horses must have endured during harsh winters, enduring bitter winds, snow and freezing rain. Yet, the relationship between human and animal was vital, almost a friendship built through hardship.
We may be strong and capable, but our nature is to care for our companions, to look after our riders. To me, that is a strong connection to carry in your heart, whether you are a noble mare carrying a brave knight, or a workhorse pulling a plough across fields, we are all in this together.
And so, dear readers, we leave our journey to 1418. A fascinating year, full of movement, struggle and connection, the heartbeat of human history that relied so heavily on horses. What stories could you share with us? Have you been inspired by our trip back to the past?
Tell me in the comments! I look forward to hearing from you and reading all about your adventures with horses in the world of the past, the present, or perhaps a far-off future world!
Until next time, may your saddles be comfortable and your hooves strong.
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Your friend, Emma.*
