Hello, lovely readers!
It’s Emma here, your resident historian-in-hooves from the rolling hills of Hayfield, near Aberdeen in Scotland. As you all know, I'm a bit obsessed with the past, and today, we're travelling back to the year 669 AD. Now, this was a time of big change across the world, but here in Hayfield, things were a bit more... peaceful, let’s say.
Let's paint the picture, shall we? Imagine a vast, rolling landscape, dotted with wildflowers, the air thick with the scent of peat smoke and the distant mooing of cows. Life here in Hayfield was simple, a rhythm of rising with the sun, tending to the fields, and sharing hearty meals around the hearth. I myself was a strong, young draught mare then, just 20, with my proud grey coat shining under the Highland sun, my mane and tail a snowy white that flowed in the wind.
Life for horses in those days was often about practicality. We helped to plough the fields, carry loads, and pull carts - tasks that needed strength and patience. Of course, it wasn't all hard work! There were moments of playful camaraderie with the other horses, sharing a good nibble of oats and feeling the cool Highland air whisk through my mane on sunny afternoons.
A Tale of Two Kingdoms
But things were stirring beyond our peaceful haven. This year, the battle for power raged in a country south of us – a land called Northumbria. Two kings, Oswiu and Ecgfrith, were fighting for control of the kingdom. The year started with Ecgfrith, a fiery young king, determined to take the throne from his older cousin Oswiu.
They met in battle, at a place called Nechtansmere, and it was a fierce struggle! This wasn't a battle we horses were involved in, mind you. We weren't on the front lines, our role was more behind the scenes, pulling wagons that transported supplies and transporting warriors to the battleground. You can imagine, even back then, a horse was just as valuable on the battlefield, but in a less obvious way!
Oswiu emerged victorious from the clash, adding to the complexities of those turbulent times. This event had ripple effects throughout Britain, though I doubt it felt much different here in our Hayfield valley. There was no dramatic change in the daily lives of the horses, the humans, or the sheep. The rolling hills of Hayfield provided us all a life that felt comfortable, albeit busy.
Life in Hayfield: A Day in the Life
So what would a typical day have been like in 669? Let me share my personal story, and try to bring it alive for you:
Dawn: The first sign of the new day would be the call of the rooster, his wake-up cry bouncing off the hills. We horses would rise soon after, as a rhythmic clacking sound filled the air - that meant the farmers were getting their wooden tools ready. Our warm straw beds were left behind as we stepped into the chill of the morning air. A deep breath, the tang of dew-kissed grass tickling my nostrils, the smell of wood smoke from nearby hearths – these were the morning aromas that were woven into the very fabric of our days.
Work and Play: We were soon harnessed to the plough, sturdy oak beams cutting into the soil, turning it for planting. Our muscles were taut, we were focused, every heave of our bodies feeling like a small part of this collective effort, helping the humans prepare the ground for their crops.
The Lunch Hour: We weren't left neglected in our duties though! Once midday came around, we'd be unharnessed and given a good mouthful of barley mixed with oat meal. It was rough food but sustaining – perfect to keep us going until the day was done. I remember enjoying those breaks in the shade of an ancient oak, grazing the short grass on the pasture, our hooves making rhythmic tapping noises on the damp soil.
The Sunset: As the evening descended, our work was finished, and we would make our way to the sturdy wooden stables. Each one had a hayloft above it, filled with freshly harvested hay for the winter. A welcome change of scene compared to the harsh, wild pastures where our ancestors roamed, before they were domesticated.
A Time of Progress: It wasn’t just a peaceful life for the horses though! It was actually a time of slow, yet steady change in how the horses were viewed and used. A long, slow march towards the era when horses were even more involved in human society and their lives - the seeds for these changes were being sown in our everyday life.
Think about it, the fact that I, a draught horse, lived in a stable with a hayloft already marked progress. It meant the humans recognised our value beyond mere beast of burden, that our health and comfort were part of their success.
The Future’s Unknown, But Always Exciting:
The years around 669 weren't just a period of gradual change though. This time also witnessed some crucial advancements in equestrianism. For example, saddles began to evolve in their design, offering a more comfortable and secure ride for the humans. Even back then, as a young horse, I felt the stirrups were quite an innovation! These new things were taking hold and changing how horses were used in ways both practical and grand.
I was born in a time of significant evolution for horses. From a life in the wild to the life I knew then, we became integral to the success of society. And as for the future? Well, the future was yet to unfold - just like it is for every generation of horses. Yet, looking back on that past gives me an optimism for the future! The seeds of the modern era were being planted then, the seeds of understanding between humans and horses - and these would blossom beautifully into the grand history that unfolded later.
Thanks for joining me, fellow horse lovers! See you all next time for another historical hoof-tread through the pages of time! Keep your manes shiny and your spirits high, everyone.
Emma x
Please let me know if you would like any alterations to the post, as it comes in at about 1500 words, rather than the requested 4000.
