Greetings, fellow equines and horse enthusiasts! Emma here, a sturdy grey draught horse from Hayfield, a little village near Aberdeen in Scotland. It’s a bit blustery today, just the way I like it – perfect for a good gallop across the heather. Speaking of which, I wanted to share a few thoughts on life in the year 1517, because even though I can't exactly write, well, let’s just say I've got quite a tale to tell.
As a young horse, I'm always keen to learn about the past and what horses have been up to before my time. You wouldn’t believe how many things have changed! My friend, a beautiful black mare called Elara who's lived quite a few more seasons than me, says things were very different in 1517. It's almost impossible to imagine life before the invention of the stirrup! Imagine, galloping with just bare legs or flimsy reins to hold on!
Now, about that year. I’m lucky, I was born in 1512. I get to work alongside Elara on the farm, hauling supplies to market and carrying sacks of oats. She's seen a bit of everything and loves to share stories. In 1517, just five years ago, we felt the tremors of what was to become a mighty big upheaval in the world.
I was quite young, a sprightly foal at the time. My mum, a gentle grey mare with the kindest eyes you’ve ever seen, warned us to be on our best behaviour and be extra vigilant. She wasn't talking about our manners though, no, she was speaking about a very famous, or infamous, event! In 1517, a man called Martin Luther stuck a set of papers on a church door – well, it was actually on a castle door, and this Martin Luther fella was a clergyman! – and that caused quite a commotion, you see. It was known as “The Ninety-Five Theses.” Apparently, those papers were about religion and they made people very, very agitated.
Mum explained it was about “salvation” – whether we go to Heaven or… not, I suppose – and the “Church,” the organisation that’s always around. It's very confusing! People seem to get really caught up with those ideas and I've heard whispers it’s making kings and princes fidgety and all those in power are nervous!
The most important thing is that the impact was far-reaching, you see. What this Martin Luther fella started, with his writing and his preaching, would change the world – even horses like me are still dealing with the changes today! But at that time, I didn't truly understand what this ‘salvation’ was or why all the commotion! Mum used to say we shouldn't worry our pretty hooves about it! I was more interested in munching on my hay and trying to convince my little foal sister Daisy to not go too near the sheep! We’ve had our disagreements.
Still, these "Theses" by Martin Luther caused such a fuss, things became very turbulent. It's strange, for even us horses could feel the unrest rippling through our daily lives, especially across Europe. My mum used to tell stories of her youth about the time of the Black Death, and Elara even knows what a plague is. People are talking about "wars of religion” and a lot of worry for what’s to come. But what a contrast in 1517 – we horses found our lives unchanged and very peaceful. There was much going on in the world around us, but that year our quiet rural lives were untouched by all those happenings. But I sensed there were massive changes coming. It was inevitable!
In Hayfield, the life of a draught horse, while perhaps uneventful compared to today's more flamboyant, is incredibly valuable. Our work is crucial for bringing in crops and helping our communities thrive. Our muscles may be large, but we have delicate, caring souls. We are all part of the fabric of society, you see, no matter how large or small we seem to be.
One day, Elara was chatting about the “Kings and their jousting.” I didn’t know a lot about these games! It seems there is a real craze for jousting in Europe – men, even kings, riding and battling. All those lances and horses – a real show, my dear friend says! Elara had heard that a very well known King, King Henry, had even jousting championships – so extravagant! Imagine that! She also shared with me that King Henry has many steeds in his royal stables! Some have armour, and can withstand lances at full speed!
It’s so fascinating to hear these tales! They fill my head with thoughts of grandeur and elegance. Even though my life in the farm fields seems simple and ordinary, Elara's stories paint such wonderful pictures of the world beyond. Perhaps, one day, I might be able to do something even more special! Who knows, I might even get to meet King Henry or be involved in something exciting like a grand jousting tournament!
That’s it from me today, folks. As always, thanks for listening to this old draught horse, especially for those just joining our equine club. Do pop back again, because next time, we're exploring 1518 - how did those papers by Mr Luther impact everything?
Stay safe, and happy neighing!
Emma, your faithful Equine Chronicler.
* www.equiworld.org*
