HISTORY OF THE ENGLISH IIOKSE. 59 



to the kings of Erance and Spain to grant safe conduct to the troop. 

 When they had safely arrived at the royal stud, it was computed that they 

 had cost the monarch no less than thirteen pounds six shillings and eight- 

 pence per horse, equal in value to one hundred and sixty pounds of our 

 present money. 



These horses were bought in order to enable him successfully to prose- 

 cute a war against Scotland, and to pi'epare for a splendid toiirnament 

 which he was about to hold. 



Entire horses were alone used for this mimic contest, and generally so 

 in the duties and dangers of the field. It Avas rarely the custom to castrate 

 the colts ; and the introduction of the female among so many perfect 

 horses might occasionally be productive of confusion. The mare was at 

 this period comparatively despised. It was deemed disgraceful for any 

 one above the common rank to ride her, and she was employed only in 

 the most servile offices. This feeling and practice was then prevalent in 

 every part of the woi-ld. When, however, it began to be the custom to 

 castrate the young horses, the worth and value of the mare was soon 

 appreciated ; and it is now acknowledged that usually she is not much, if 

 at all, inferior to the perfect horse in many respects, while she has far 

 more strength, proportionate courage, and endurance than the gelding. 



This monarch had many running-lwrses. The precise meaning of the 

 term is not, however, clear. They might be light and speedy animals in 

 opposition to those destined for the cavalry service, or horses that were 

 literally used for the purpose of racing. The average price of these 

 running-horses was twenty marks, or thii-teen pounds six shillings and 

 eightpence. 



Edward was devoted to the sports of the turf and the field, or he began 

 to see the propriety of crossing our stately and heavy breed with those of 

 a lighter structure and greater speed. There was, however, one impedi- 

 ment to this, which was not for a very long period removed. The soldier 

 was cased in heavy armour, and the knight, with all his accoutrements, 

 often rode more than twenty-five stones, l^o Httle bulk and strength 

 were required \\\ the animal destined to carry this back-breaking weight. 

 When the musket was substituted for the cross-bow and battle-axe, and 

 this ii'on defence, cumbrous to the wearer and destructive to the horse, 

 became useless, and was laid aside, the improvement of the British horse 

 in reality commenced. 



While Edward was thus eager to avail himself of foreign blood, he, 

 with the too frequent selfishness of the sportsman, would let no neighbour 

 share in the advantage. The exportation of horses was forbidden under 

 heavy penalties. One case in which he relaxed, from his severity is 

 recorded. He permitted a German merchant to re-export some Flanders 

 horses which he had brought on speculation ; but he strictly forbade him 

 to send them to Scotland. ISTay, so jealous were these sister-kingdoms of 

 each other's prosperity, that so late as the time of EKzabeth, it was 

 deemed felony to export horses from England to Scotland, 



The English horse was advancing, although slowly, to an equality with, 

 or even superiority over, those of neighbouring countries. His value 

 began to be more generally and highly estimated, and his price rapidly 

 increased — so much so, that the breeders and the dealers, then, as now, 

 skilful in imposing on the inexperienced, obtained from many of the young 

 grandees enormous prices for their cattle. This e^dl increased to such an 

 extent, that Richard II. (1386) interfered to regulate and determine the 

 price. The proclamation which he issued is interesting, not only as 

 proving the increased value of the horse, but shomng what were, four 

 hundred and seventy years ago, the chief breeding districts, as they still 



