6 HORSE. Class I. 



part of IFaks was for many ages celebrated for a 

 fwift and generous race of horfes. Giraldus Cam- 

 hrenfis, who lived in the reign of Iler/ry 11. takes 

 notice of it*; Vin6. Michael Bray ton^ cotemporary 

 with Sbakefpear^ fings their excellence in the fixth 

 part of his Polyolbion. This kind was probably 

 deflined to mount our gallant nobility, or courte- 

 ous knights for feats of Chivalry^ in the generous 

 contefts of the tilt-yard. From thefe fprung, to 

 fpeak the language of the times, the Flower of 

 Coiirfers^ whofe elegant form added charms to the 

 rider; and whofe adivity and managed dexterity- 

 gained him the palm in that field of gallantry and 

 romantic honor. 

 Races. NotwithRanding my former fuppofition, races 



were known in England in very early times. Fitz- 

 Stephen^ who wrote in the days of Henry II. menti- 

 ons the great delight that the citizens of London 

 took in the diverfion. But by his words, it ap- 

 pears not to have been defigned for the purpofes 

 of gaming, but merely to have fprung from a 

 generous emulation of fhewing a fuperior fl^ill in 

 horfemanfhip. 



Races appear to have been in vogue in the 

 reign of Qiieen Elizabeth^ and to have been carried 



* In hsc tertia Wallia: portlone quae Po=iviJia dicitur funt 



equitia peroptima, et equi emilTaria laudatiifima, de Hifpani- 



fnjium equorum generofitate, quos olim Comes Slopejluria 



^ Robcrtiis tie Beleffne in fines iftos adduci curaverat, originaliter 



propagati, Jtin. Camb, zzi, 



to 



