CHAPTER XVIII 



THE SHIRE 



The very early history of the Shire horse traces back into the 

 days of Roman conquest and almost prehistoric times. Abun- 

 dant evidence, as set forth in British history by the earliest 

 writers, makes it clear that a heavy type of work horse existed 

 in those days. During the period when armor was worn it was 

 necessary that a horse be of good size and be able easily to bear 

 heavy weight in the saddle. In the sixteenth century in Eng- 

 land, when armor was used, according to Tower of London officials 

 a man's armor weighed 99^ pounds, the horse's 81 pounds, and 

 the spear 20, a total of 200 pounds approximately. Adding to this 

 the weight of a man, the horse had to support nearly 400 pounds. 



Various early paintings show the draft type of horse in use. 

 Albert Diirer, in 1505, made a painting of "The Great Horse," 

 as it was termed. Vandyke, about 1620, painted a picture show- 

 ing the Duke of Arenburg on a great horse. A famous painting 

 by Paul Potter shows the great horse about 1652. 



The special region of Shire horse breeding in England has been 

 in the east central part, especially in the counties of Lincoln, 

 Cambridge, Huntingdon, Northampton, Leicester, Nottingham, 

 Derby, and Norwich. However, the breed has been extensively 

 produced on the low-lying lands outside this area. During its 

 past history it has been known in England as the " Great 

 Horse," the "War Horse," the "Cart Horse," "Old English 

 Black Horse," "Giant Lincolnshire," and the "Shire." The 

 name " Large Black Old English Horse " was in use from the 

 time of Oliver Cromwell to modern times. 



The real origin of the Shire is fairly speculative. It is known 

 that horses of this large draft type existed in England from 

 very early times. We are told that a large draft type of horse 

 existed in Flanders, Holland, and in Germany, in the valley 



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