4^2 HISTORY OF 



They assert, that the running-horse, as the breed has been for 

 a long time refined, is unfit for any other service than that of the 



course, being too slight either for the road, the chase, or the combat ; 



and his joints so delicately united, as to render him subject to 



their cries." This description reminds us of tlie more lengthened races of the 

 present day, and proves the blood of the English horse, even before the 

 Eastern breed was tried. 



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

 had it in their power to enrich their native country with some of the choicest 

 specimens of Eastern horses, but they were completely under the influence 

 of superstition and fanaticisnf, and common sense and usefulness were for. 

 gotten. 



The war-steed was defended by mail or plate, much on the plan of the 

 harness of the knight himself. His head was ornamented with a crest. The 

 head, chest, and flanks, were wholly or partially protected ; and sometimes 

 he was clad in complete steel, with the arms of his master engraved or era. 

 bossed on his bardings. The bridle of the liorse vvas always as splendid as 

 the circumstances of the knight allowed, and thu?a horse was often called 

 Brigliadore, from briglia d'oro, a bridle of gold. Bells were a very favourite 

 addition to the equipment of the horse. The old-Troubadour, Arnold of Mar. 

 son, says, that *^ nothing is so proper to inspire confidence in a knight, and 

 terror in an enemy." 



To King John, hateful as he «'as in all other respects, we are yet much in. 

 dehted for the attention which he paid to agriculture generally, and particu. 

 larly to improving the breed of horses. He imported one hundred chosen 

 stallions of the Flanders kind, and thus mainly contributed to prepare our 

 noble species of draught horses, as unrivalled as the horses of the turf. 



One hundred years afterwards, Edward H. purchased thirty Lombardy 

 war-horses, and twelve heavy draught-horses. Lombardy, Italy, and Spain, 

 were the countries whence the greater part of Europe was then supplied 

 with the most valuable cavalry or parade horses. Horses for agricultural 

 purposes were chiefly procured from Flanders. 



Edward III. devoted one thousand marks to the purchase of fifty Spanish 

 horses ; and of such importance did he conceive this addition to the English, 

 or rather mingled blood, then existing, that formal application was made ti> 

 the kings of France 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 eightpenca 

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

 money. 



This monarch liad many running-horses. The precise meaning of the term 

 Is not, however, clear. It might be light and speedy horses in opposition to 

 the war-horse, or thote that were literally used for the purpose of racing. 

 The average price of these running-horses was twenty marks, or three 

 pounds six shillings and eightpence. Edward was devoted to the sports of 

 the turf or 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 impediment to this, which was not for a very 

 loug period removed. The soldier was cased in heavy armour. The knight 



