45 



Much attention would seem to have been 

 given to the mounting of our cavalry and 

 the general efficiency of that arm by Anne's 

 generals. Col. Geo. Denison, in his History 

 of Cavalry (London, 1877), says that the 

 battle of Blenheim in 1704 was almost 

 altogether decided by the judicious use of 

 cavalry, while at Ramillies in 1706, and 

 Malplaquet, the cavalry played a very im- 

 portant part in the operations. 



In the later years of her reign the Queen's 

 interest in racing became still more apparent ; 

 she gave her first Royal gold cup, value 

 60 guineas, in 1710; and yet more plates: 

 further, she ran horses in her own name at 

 York and elsewhere. 



There was little change on the ''Road" 

 during Anne's time ; springs of steel had 

 replaced the leather straps used in England 

 until about 1700, but the coaches, improved 

 in minor details, were still ponderous and 

 required powerful teams to draw them. The 

 Queen's own state coach was drawn by six 

 mares of the Great Horse, or as it should 

 be called in connection with the period 

 under survey, the Shire Horse breed. Oxen 

 were used in the slow stage waggons, as 

 appears from the laws passed by William 

 III. and Anne. The law of the latter 



