no THE HORSE IN HISTORY 



Also the saddles they are represented as wear- 

 ing were extremely massive and presumably of 

 great weight. Those shown on the Bayeux 

 tapestry have a deep curve which must have 

 made them difficult to fall out of, and we are told 

 by Giraldus that saddles almost exactly similar, 

 and provided with stirrups, were in use in Ireland 

 a century or so later. The riders at that time 

 wore high boots, prick spurs, and hauberk. 



A monk of Canterbury, William Stephanides, 

 writing early in the reign of Henry II., alludes 

 to various kinds of horses used in Great Britain, 

 and among these there undoubtedly were some 

 of the stamp that the Normans imported. 



"Without one of the London city gates," he 

 tells us, "is a certain smooth field" — no doubt 

 the site known to-day as Smithfield — "and every 

 Friday there is a brave sight of gallant horses to 

 be sold. Many come from the city to buy or 

 look on — to wit, earls, barons, knights and 

 citizens. There are to be found here managed 

 or war horses (dextrarii), of elegant shape, full 

 of fire and giving every proof of a generous and 

 noble temper ; likewise cart horses, horses fitted 

 for the dray, or the plough, or the chariot." 



From other sources we are able to gather that 

 at this time there must have been many war 



