THE IMPROVED ART OF FARRIERY, 233 



as prince succeeded to prince in those unsettled times 

 when the throne was insecure and uncertain, a Dane 

 "holding the sceptre at one time, and a Saxon at 

 another. 



Athelstan, the second in succession to, and the na- 

 tural son of Alfred, devoted himself to the improve- 

 ments in horse-breeding, and many edicts were passed 

 in his reign, as also by Howel, respecting the value and 

 usage of the horse, many of them very humane and 

 necessary. 



In that age a stallion was rated at thirty, and a mare 

 or colt at twenty shillings. 



When the Norman family came to England, still 

 greater improvements were effected. Succeeding kings 

 by degrees advanced the excellence of the various 

 breeds. John imported a hundred Flemish stallions, 

 and the third Edward purchased fifty of the finest 

 Spanish horses. At this time Spain and Italy furnish 

 the greatest part of Europe for military service. 



Although Fitz-Stephen mentions the trial of speed 

 between horses as early as the reign of Henry II., 

 races were not established till Henry VIII. came to the 

 throne. Barbary and Turkish horses were introduced, 

 and James I. purchased an Arab for the sum of five 

 hundred pounds. Succeeding princes, seeing the 

 benefit derived from the crossing of breeds, and the 

 utility of encouraging the production of fine horses, 

 patronised the various sports and kept extensive studs ; 

 the subjects following the royal example, vied with 

 each other, till at the present day the EngUsh horses 

 have been brought to an excellence not to be equalled, 

 much less surpassed. 



Presean de Dampiere, speaking on this subject, after 

 descantmg on the superiority of the French chmate, 

 and their admirable establishments for breeding, never- 



2 H 



