266 THE HORSE IN HISTORY 



process, dissipation, debauchery and general 

 degeneration. 



Indeed, as one writer exclaims in an access of 

 unchecked emotion, "from the period when the 

 noble animal became debased and prostituted in 

 this country from the purposes for which he was 

 intended by his Maker the purposes of war and 

 agriculture he has gradually sunk, and those 

 who have helped to debase him have at great 

 length followed his example." Out of considera- 

 tion for this writer's feelings for it is to be hoped 

 that by now he has recognised the error of his 

 judgment I refrain from mentioning his name. 



William met his death through a riding acci- 

 dent. Mounted upon his favourite "pleasure 

 horse," described as "a steed of mean stature, 

 named Sorrel, which had a blind eye," the king, 

 so it is said, for some reason lost his temper and 

 struck his mount a violent blow upon the head 

 with a heavy riding-stick. 



Instantly the animal bounded forward, and 

 William, thrown suddenly off his balance, was 

 unhorsed and fell heavily on his side. 



Personally I think the story more likely to be 

 true is that Sorrel stumbled over a molehill, and, 

 in trying to recover himself, fell on to his side. 

 The king, thrown violently, received an internal 

 injury from which he never recovered. Other 

 stories of what took place have also been handed 

 down to us. 



