The Grey Mare’s Tale: 1614
Hello everyone, and welcome back to Equiworld! My name’s Emma, and this is my blog about life as a horse back in 1614, in the grand and lovely year of our Lord.
I’m writing from Hayfield, just outside the beautiful city of Aberdeen in Scotland. You might not know Aberdeen, but I think it's one of the prettiest places in the whole world, all grey stone and windy streets, with a sea full of boats to watch on a clear day.
It’s a busy life for a mare like me! And I mean busy. I'm a draught horse, as you can tell by my solid build and grey coat (not quite a bay or chestnut, mind you!). My mane and tail are long and white – very stylish, if I do say so myself.
I’m 20 this year, so a fair age, but still strong enough to pull a plough or cart all day long. Our field's at the back of the village, right near the fields that farmers use for growing all sorts of things. I love watching the seasons change from green to gold to white and then back to green again.
Anyway, let me tell you all about 1614…
A New King and the World of Horses
This year marks the beginning of a new chapter for the country, one that might just shake up our whole horse world! It seems there was a little kerfuffle just before Christmas last year, what with King James – you know, the one who loves horses (his mother was a Scottish queen, did you know?) - deciding he should also be King of England!
He already ruled Scotland, you see, and England was without a King. It was quite a year in the south – all that arguing and drama, with Parliament deciding they wanted someone new on the throne. It felt quite far away to me, here in Aberdeen, but it definitely made the local nobles nervous, as you could see them writing letters and rushing off on horseback more than usual.
Riding for Sport, War, and Everything in Between
You know, most of the horses around here are working horses. We help the farmers till their land, carry loads to the markets, and sometimes we even help move cattle, though that can be a bit smelly! There’s a lot of hauling and pulling in our world, but people like horses like us because we're strong and steady, always there to lend a helping hoof!
Of course, there’s always the Royal Studs, breeding beautiful horses that gallop for sport and the war, as well as carrying knights, nobles, and other important folk around. We draught horses don’t get a lot of fancy training like that. No, our world is about hard work and being good and reliable – the very backbone of Scotland’s industry, as our local blacksmith likes to say.
But then, sometimes there's a break from the hard work, and we get a chance to have some fun. The Scottish countryside is absolutely magnificent, you know. Green hills rolling into blue mountains and everything so full of life, birds singing and all that. On a good day, after all the work is done, I'll be led to a grassy field with my friends, the other horses, for a leisurely graze under the bright blue sky.
Horse Whispers and Whispering Secrets
Horses always talk amongst themselves, you know, in whispers that humans can't quite hear, but we know what's going on. We have our own horse language - sometimes it’s a flick of the tail, or a whinny in a certain way, sometimes it's just a knowing look across the stable door!
You can always tell what's up from the air, too! For example, I hear whispers about a young King who rides more than he works - this new king is quite a skilled rider! He loves racing horses too, apparently, even having them fight against each other! Oh, how curious.
And this whispers I hear … Well, I can’t tell you more about the Royal horses, the new king, or all the exciting secrets I hear on the wind, because it would spoil my friends’ and my little equine secrets. We are quite the gossip, but we know what’s important to keep a tight rein on, eh?
Keeping it Real: The Practical World of Horses
Now, back to life in Hayfield – no matter what is going on, people need us horses for our everyday jobs.
My life revolves around farm life – I get up, I eat my hay, I work, and I go to sleep. But honestly, there is something so special about a horse's life – the quiet contentment of being outside, the feel of the breeze against your coat, the bond with your human who looks after you. And I wouldn't have it any other way.
We, horses, have always been a vital part of human history, back even before 1614 – can you imagine the world without horses, carrying soldiers, pulling wagons, and yes, even ploughing the fields?
So as you can see, being a horse in 1614 is a bit like any other year. You’re either out working in the fields, or in the stable with your friends. There's always a new story to be shared.
I’m already excited about what this new year might bring. But right now, I'm going to relax in my field, enjoy the sun, and wait for whatever adventures the year will bring.
Until next time, friends, and may your oats be plentiful and your stallions strong!
Emma
www.equiworld.org
P.S.
If you'd like to learn more about horses back in the 1600s, there’s a lot more information you can find on the internet! Some libraries even have ancient books that might talk about us. You know, back in the olden days, they didn’t have fancy computers or telephones. They used parchment paper and ink, just like I imagine my foremothers did!
