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New research indicates that horses brought into the country for the wealthy class in the Tudor period were laid to rest in a cemetery located in Westminster.
Studying the peculiar animal graveyard found in London approximately three decades ago has exposed the extent of horse trading that was taking place on a global level during that period.
By utilizing advanced archaeological methods, scientists were able to determine the origins of multiple large horses and the probable paths that they traveled to reach Britain.
These creatures, comparable to contemporary sports cars, were selected from a range of regions in Europe specifically for their tall stature and power.
The king and other elite members of medieval London searched various horse trading markets in Europe to acquire top-quality horses, which they then brought back to London.
During the 14th to 16th centuries, they were brought in for jousting competitions and as symbols of social standing.
The animals in the study include three of the tallest animals known from late medieval England, standing up to 1.6 metres, or 15.3 hands high.
Despite being relatively small compared to today’s standards, this size would have been extremely noteworthy in its time.
During the 1990s, an excavation was done on the current Elverton Street in the City of Westminster, revealing horse skeletons.
According to researchers, during medieval times, the burial grounds would have been situated beyond the walls of the City of London, but still in close proximity to the royal palace complex in Westminster.
According to Dr. Alex Pryor, the principal researcher and senior lecturer in archaeology at the University of Exeter, the chemical markers observed in the horse’s teeth are unique and unlike what would be typically found in a horse raised in the UK.
This new information offers conclusive and unparalleled proof of multiple methods of horse transportation and commerce during the Medieval period.
Medieval London’s representatives, including the king and other elites, were scouring horse trading markets throughout Europe in search of high-quality horses to bring back to London.
It is likely that the horses were used in the jousting tournaments known to have taken place in Westminster, near the location where they were buried.
and wealth
During medieval times, the top-quality horses were comparable to present-day supercars – extremely costly and exquisitely crafted vehicles that displayed the social rank and affluence of their owners.
In the initial study of its nature to be performed on historical horse remains, the scientists extracted 22 teeth from 15 specimens and removed sections of the enamel for analysis.
The scientists successfully determined the possible source of each horse and ruled out other options by examining specific elements in their teeth and comparing the findings to established ranges in various locations.
Dr. Pryor stated that a minimum of 50% of the horses came from various international backgrounds, potentially including Scandinavia, the Alps, and other regions in northern and eastern Europe.
The experts propose that the results align with the breeding practices of royal equine establishments.
After residing on the farms for about two to three years, horses would either be tamed and taught or transferred elsewhere for sale.
Upon examining the teeth, scientists discovered indications of wear, indicating extensive use of a curb bit. This was commonly used on high-status animals, particularly those trained for battle and competitions starting in the 14th century.
The presence of bit marks on two of the female horses indicated that they had been ridden or harnessed and may have also been used for breeding purposes.
Additional examination of the skeletal remains uncovered numerous individuals with significantly larger frames, often exhibiting fused vertebrae as a result of a physically demanding lifestyle involving frequent horseback riding.
Oliver Creighton, a professor at the University of Exeter and an expert in medieval history, stated: “In the medieval era, top-quality horses were comparable to modern luxury cars – extremely costly and exquisitely crafted machines that displayed their owner’s social standing.”
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At Elverton Street, our researchers have uncovered evidence indicating the use of horses in jousting – a sport reserved for royalty where riders demonstrated their combat and equestrian abilities with top-of-the-line horses.
The recent discoveries offer concrete evidence of this trade, highlighting its global reach.
Clearly, the wealthy citizens of medieval London were intentionally seeking out the best horses available from across Europe.
The research, supported by the Arts and Humanities Research Council, is featured in the publication Science Advances.
Source: independent.co.uk
