58 HISTORY OF THE ENGLISH HORSE. 



John accumulated a very numerous and valuable stud. He was eager to 

 possess himself of every horse of more than usual power ; and at all times 

 gladly received from the tenants of the crown horses of a superior quality 

 instead of money for the renewal of grants, or the payment of forfeitures 

 belonging to the crown. It was his pride to render his cavalry, and the horses 

 for the tournament and for pleasure, as perfect as he could. It was not to be 

 expected that so haughty and overbearing a tyrant would concern himself much 

 with the inferior kind? ; yet while the superior kinds were rapidly becoming 

 more valuable, the others would, in an indirect manner, partake of the 

 improvement. 



One hundred years afterwards, Edward II. 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. Those 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 consider this addition to the English, or 

 rather, mingled blood then existing, that formal application was made to 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 eightpence 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 prosecute a 

 war against Scotland, and to prepare for a splendid tournament 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 was 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 

 world. 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 acknow- 

 ledged 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-horses. 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 three pounds six shillings and eightpence. 



* The author of this work does not feel dis- were connected together, and only a certain 

 posed to pass over another circumstance con- degree of liberty allowed them, while a shoo 

 nected with the purchase of these horses, al- with a long toe was placed on the hinder feet, 

 though not very creditable to his profession at Perhaps these artificers were scarcely worthy 

 that period. In the accounts of the charges of better employment at that time; and yet it 

 for the education of the horse, there was usu- was poor work to teach the noble war-horse to 

 ally one termed Troynelli. This is monkish amble, and to spoil him for the field of dan- 

 Latin, and not to be found in our modern die- gor, in order to please the ladies who graced 

 tionarics. It referred to certain instruments the front seats at the tournament. The war- 

 whichtbe/errariiorso/eani — blacksmiths and rior ambling ! 



shoeing-smiths — used in order that the horses « She shall make him amble on a gossip's 

 might be taught a short namby-pamby pace, 



designated ambling. They consisted of strong - And take the distaff with a hand as patient 

 yarn or iron-chains > by which the fore-feet As e'er did Hercules !" — Rowe. 



