Hayfield, Scotland, 1069 AD - Greetings from Emma!
Oh, dear reader, it feels like forever since I last shared my thoughts with the world. So much has happened in our little corner of Hayfield in the last few months! The days are growing shorter, and a chill has crept into the air. The heather is ablaze with purple and gold, and the scent of wood smoke hangs in the air as our farmer, Angus, prepares for the long winter ahead.
This blog post isn't about our routines or the preparations for winter though - it's about change. Oh, how the world keeps turning, like a mighty mill wheel grinding the seasons into being.
A Kingdom on the Brink?
I am a mare, a strong and steady draught horse, but I don't spend much time worrying about the human world. My days are spent with my herd, grazing in the lush meadows or working in the fields with Angus. But even I can't escape the whisper of something big on the horizon. They speak of turmoil in the south, about a king with a crown and a crown without a king.
From what I hear from the villagers, King Harold has claimed the English throne after the death of Edward the Confessor. The word on the wind is that a new challenger is coming. His name is William, and he comes from Normandy across the sea, the land of horses and the rolling green pastures. He's gathered a large army with a vast number of strong, shining horses, a spectacle that must be seen to be believed!
Why is this important to us here in Hayfield? Well, every horse is aware of the importance of a stable kingdom. When the world is quiet and peaceful, the horses can go about their business. Farmers have enough to eat, their crops grow, and our routines stay consistent. However, when there is unrest, our human friends need to put down their tools, and horses are pulled away from their jobs. That's a recipe for uncertainty and upheaval.
A Brief Horse-Whisper
There is also a strange nervousness amongst the horses of the area. The men who travel on horseback are watching the skies and speaking of gathering clouds. Is it just me, or have these men begun carrying more weapons?
Horses are not supposed to speculate, I know, but I'm a creature of feeling. It is like I feel a growing weight in my belly, and it is hard not to feel it too, this feeling of worry. My own grey mare, Bella, senses it too. Her soft snorts tell the tale of something unsettling. The wind speaks of it as well.
Let us hope, my dear readers, that it is all nothing, and that our lives can continue as they always have been. In this way, we can serve our masters and continue to keep their lands safe.
Horses and their Duties
We, the noble steeds of Hayfield, are not simple workhorses. We play a vital role in this quiet corner of Scotland. Angus' strong bullocks need a strong horse to guide their way on the journey to the local markets in the bigger cities. Farmers need a steady hand in carrying their goods on their horses to and from the village. They rely on us to carry their young children through fields of heather on a bright summer’s day. Horses carry the sick and injured in their carts, providing safe passage and much needed relief. We are trusted companions, and it fills me with pride that our role is so important to this community.
The Year 1069
This year, there seems to be an unusual activity in the equine world. Horses are traveling to new destinations across the country. In the distant, south people talk of 'Musters', great assemblies of people and their steeds to prepare for potential battle. We are even beginning to see young stallions being selected for what they are calling "King's Service". A term that fills many of my mare friends with a sense of unease and a fear of leaving the safety of the farm and their human families behind.
It is indeed a busy time for all horsekind in this year 1069. As for us, in Hayfield, we are a hard-working team and will continue our important role as guardians of the peace and tranquility of the beautiful Highlands, a life we take great pride in. But in the meantime, my dear friends, we must be vigilant.
My Thoughts for This Month
In the long nights ahead, my fellow horses and I will remember this time. We will recall our ancestors and all their sacrifices and all that came before us, the horses that fought for kings and queens of our past. We remember the horses of legend, like Bucephalus, Alexander the Great's famous charger, or the valiant steed of William the Conqueror! It's as if we horses are being watched from afar, judged by what is to come and how we might play a role in history. We are a proud race, with bloodlines dating back for thousands of years and our strength and courage have helped forge the lives of mankind across centuries!
With so much on my mind and many feelings that I am still trying to grasp, I shall conclude for now, dear readers. As a young grey mare, with a mane as white as the heather in full bloom and a heart full of hope, I'll keep you all updated, from this small corner of our world.
Until next time, Emma
