The World in 1644 – A Horse’s View from Hayfield
Greetings, dear readers!
As a gentle breeze rustles the leaves of the trees surrounding my stable, I sit here in my stall at Hayfield, near Aberdeen, enjoying the afternoon sun. Today, my human companion, the farmer's daughter, Elspeth, helped me polish my hooves and braid my white mane and tail. It's a beautiful day to reflect on the world we inhabit – a world filled with adventures, both big and small, especially for us horses!
Let me tell you, being a grey mare is wonderful, but not without its challenges! Keeping my coat gleaming and dust-free can be quite a chore. Especially when I’m hauling heavy carts through muddy fields, like the one I had this morning carrying our harvest of barley.
But today, my mind drifts to something far more interesting...history.
And what a fascinating year 1644 is! A year of change, uncertainty, and, thankfully, for me, still plenty of delicious hay! I know this because I hear the humans discussing these things at the dinner table. You see, my stall is next to the kitchen, which is quite convenient for catching the occasional crumb or two.
Now, 1644... where to begin?
There is much that the humans are talking about this year. The king, Charles I, is in trouble – well, he's been in trouble for some time, but now there’s talk of war. The country is divided, with some fighting for the King, and others fighting for what they call "Parliament". I haven't quite understood all of the details, but from what I gather, the Parliament is a group of important people who are trying to take away the King’s power. The humans whisper about this in hushed tones, as though talking too loud might cause their enemies to find them.
Oh, the drama! What a time to be alive, eh?
But amidst the political intrigue, things are relatively calm here in Scotland. I’m not sure about the humans, though; they’ve started to hoard more food, and everyone looks a bit more anxious than usual. However, life on the farm goes on much as usual for us horses. We work hard, graze in the fields, and rest in our stalls, listening to the familiar sounds of the farm. Sometimes, I can’t help but think, it’s much easier to be a horse, who doesn’t have to worry about all the human dramas!
A Day in the Life of a Hayfield Horse:
Our days are filled with chores – a life of hard work, but rewarding too. Every morning begins with the familiar clink of the buckets filled with oats. And then the farmer’s whistle, announcing the start of another busy day. My strong grey muscles pull the carts loaded with sacks of grain and vegetables. I even pull the plough sometimes, and I am not one to shy away from the responsibility! My broad shoulders and steady temperament make me perfect for this type of work. The feel of the soil under my hooves, the smell of fresh hay and manure... these are the scents that bring me joy!
Speaking of enjoyment, have you heard of the Royal Horse Show at Newmarket, England? My cousin, Jasper, was lucky enough to travel down there with the farmer's son, Andrew, to take part in the races this summer. You can imagine how proud I was! Andrew told me how fast and elegant Jasper is, and even though I haven't met him, I already consider him to be quite the thoroughbred!
Andrew said that the whole country talks about the Royal Horse Show, and indeed, I’ve heard whispers about it even here in Hayfield. They say the King himself takes part, and the horses compete for prizes and admiration!
The King may have problems, but he definitely loves his horses, that much I can say. My own experience tells me, humans are indeed quite fond of us equine creatures!
And here is an interesting story about the King's love for horses. I heard Andrew’s mother, the farmer's wife, talking to a neighbor about a little boy who had saved the King’s life by shouting warnings when the royal party was ambushed by bandits. Now, what is a king’s life worth? You may think that someone like the King wouldn't need any help. But the King loved this boy so much that he declared that he would take him under his wing and send him off to school. Imagine my surprise when I heard the boy would get a beautiful white steed, specially chosen for him by the King himself! A King’s horse? The best of the best, no doubt! That little boy, they say, is set for a grand life thanks to his bravery and the King's love for his horses! What a truly special gift!
Now, don’t worry dear readers! I won’t dwell too long on politics today! My human companion, Elspeth, is urging me back to the fields, promising me some juicy, sweet apples. After a hard day’s work, they’re the best treat a grey mare could ask for.
I hope you all are doing well, dear fellow equines, and keeping your hooves strong and your spirits high!
Until next time,
Emma
The Hayfield Mare
