56 HISTORY OF THE ENGLISH HORSE. 



of masters. Some of the barons, and particularly Roger de Boulogne, earl of 

 Shrewsbury, introduced the Spanish horse on their newly -acquired estates. 

 The historians of these times, however principally monks, and knowing nothing 

 about horses give us very little information on the subject. 



The Spanish horse was then highly and deservedly valued for his stately 

 figure and noble action, and was in much request in the tilts and tournaments 

 that were then in fashion. The Spanish horse was the war-horse of every one 

 who could afford to purchase and properly accoutre so noble an animal. 

 The courage and the skill of the rider were most perfectly displayed when 

 united with the strength and activity, and spirit and beauty, of the steed. 



One circumstance deserves to be remarked, namely, that in none of the earliest 

 historical records of the Anglo-Saxons or the Welsh is there any allusion to 

 the use of the horse for the plough. Until a comparatively recent period, oxen 

 alone were employed in England, as in other countries, for this purpose ; but 

 about this period the latter part of the tenth century some innovation on 

 this point was commencing, and a Welsh law forbad* the farmer to plough 

 with horses, mares, or cows, but with oxen alone. On one of the pieces of 

 the Bayeux tapestry woven in the time of William the Conqueror (A.D. 1066), 

 there is the figure of a man driving a horse attached to a harrow. This is the 

 earliest notice that we have of the use of this animal in field-labour. 



In the reign of Henry I. (A.D. 1121), the first Arabian horse, or at least the 

 first on record, was introduced. Alexander I., king of Scotland, presented to 

 the church of St. Andrew's an Arabian horse, with costly furniture, Turkish 

 armour, many valuable trinkets, and a considerable estate. 



There have been some pretensions to the existence of a breed derived from 

 or improved by this horse, but no certain proof of it can be adduced. 



In the reign of Henry II. several foreign horses were imported, but of what 

 kind is not mentioned. Maddox speaks of " the increased allowance that was 



made for the subsistence of the King's horses that were lately brought from 

 i_ i * " 

 beyond sea . 



Smithfield is also now first spoken of as a horse-market, a field for tourna- 

 ments, and a race-course. Fitzstephen, who lived at that time, gives the 

 following animated account of the scene : " Without one of the gates of the 

 city is a certain field, plain or smooth, both in name and situation. Every 

 Friday, except some festival intervene, there is a fine sight of horses brought 

 to be sold. Many come out of the city to buy or look on to wit, earls, barons, 

 knights, and citizens. It is a pleasant thing to behold the horses there, all 

 gay and sleek, moving up and down, some on the amble and some on the trot, 

 which latter pace, although rougher to the rider, is better suited to men who 

 bear arms. Here also are colts, yet ignorant of the bridle, which prance and 

 bound, and give early signs of spirit and courage. Here also are managed or 

 war horses, of elegant shape, full of fire, and giving every proof of a generous 

 and noble temper. Horses also for the cart, dray, and plough, are to be found 

 here ; mares, big with foal, and others with their colts wantonly running by 

 their sides. 



" Every Sunday in Lent, after dinner, a company of young men ride out 

 into the fields, on horses that are fit for war, and excellent for their speed. 

 Every one among them is taught to mn the rounds with his horse. The 

 citizens' sons issue out through the gates by troops, furnished with lances and 

 shields. The younger sort have their pikes not headed with iron ; and they 

 make representation of battle, and exercise a skirmish. To this performance 

 many courtiers resort, when the court is near; and young striplings, yet 



* History of the Exchequer, p. 252. 



