IIISTOllY OF THE EXULISII HORSE. 57 



law forbade the farmer to plough with horses, mares, or cows, but with 

 oxen alone. On one of the pieces of the Bayeus tapestry woven in the 

 time of William the Conqueror (a.d. 106G), there is the figure of a man 

 drivmg 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 Ai^abian horse, or at least 

 the first on record, was introdaced. Alexander I., king of Scotland, 

 presented to the church of St. Andrew's an Arabian horse, with costly 

 furniture, -Turkish arniour, 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 Avas made for the subsistence of the King's horses that were lately 

 brought from beyond sea.' 



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

 tournaments, and a race-course. Fitzstepheu, who lived at that time, gives 

 the following animated account of the scene: — 'Without one of the gates 

 of the city is a certaui 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 -ndt, 

 carls, barons, knights, and citizens. It is a pleasant thing to behold tho 

 horses there, all gay and sleek, moving up and dovni, some on the amhle 

 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, who 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, di-ay, 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 run the rounds with his horse. The 

 citizens' sons issue out through the gates by troops, famished mth 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 per- 

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

 striplings, yet uninitiated in arms, from the families of barons and great 

 persons to train and practise. 



' They begin by dividing themselves into troops. Some labour to out- 

 strip their leaders, without being able to reach them ; others unhorse their 

 antagonists, yet are not able to get beyond them. A race is to be run by 

 this sort of horses, and perhaps by others, which also in their kind are 

 strong and fleet, a shout is immediately raised, and the common horses are 

 ordered to withdraw out of the way. Three jockeys, or sometimes only 

 two, as the match is made, prepare themselves for the contest. The 

 horses on their part are not without emulation : they tremble and are im- 

 patient, and are continually in motion. At last, the signal once given, they 

 start, devour the course, and hurry along with unremitting swiftness. 

 The jockeys, inspired with the thought of applause and the hope of "victory, 

 clap spurs to their -willing horses, brandish their whips, and cheer them 

 with their cries.' This animated description reminds us of the more 

 lengthened races of the present day, and i^roves the blood of the English 

 horse, even before the Eastern breed was tried. 



Close on this followed the Crusades. The champions of the Cross 



