The Great Horse; Or, The War Horsefrom the Time of the Roman Invasion Till Its Development into the Shire Horse.
1899
The Great Horse; Or, The War Horsefrom the Time of the Roman Invasion Till Its Development into the Shire Horse.
1899
Sir Walter Gilbey's 1899 treatise is a passionate, Victorian-era deep dive into one of Britain's most magnificent creatures. He traces the lineage of what would become the Shire Horse from the Roman invasion of Britain through the age of armored knights to its transformation into the agricultural powerhouse that helped feed the industrial revolution. Gilbey writes with the enthusiasm of someone who genuinely believes the Great Horse is one of history's most underappreciated marvels, his reverence for these animals permeates every page. The book captures a pivotal moment in agricultural history, when horsepower was literally that: giant horses replacing oxen as the primary force on British farms. It's a window into a world where these animals were absolutely indispensable, on the cusp of being rendered obsolete by the tractor. For anyone fascinated by animals, agricultural history, or the Victorian appetite for specialized knowledge about breeds, this obscure volume offers a charming window into a vanished world where horses were the engines of civilization.
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The author and narrator, a Victorian baronet and horse breeding expert who traces the history of the Shire horse. He served as President of the Shire Horse Society and was deeply knowledgeable about equine history and breeding.
Roman general whose accounts of British war chariots and horses provide the earliest written evidence of the Great Horse's ancestors. His observations form the foundation of Gilbey's historical argument.
English king who passed crucial legislation regulating horse breeding, including the first use of 'Shire' in connection with horses. He established royal studs and mandated breeding standards.
16th-century Norfolk writer who authored 'The Art of Ryding and Breaking Greate Horses' (1566). His detailed descriptions of horse breeds and breeding practices provide crucial historical evidence.
About The Great Horse; Or, The War Horsefrom the Time of the Roman Invasion Till Its Development into the Shire Horse.
Chapter Summaries
- Introduction
- Gilbey establishes the purpose of tracing the Shire horse's lineage and explains the historical importance of heavy horses in British culture. He notes the lack of comprehensive literature on this uniquely English breed despite thousands of horse books existing.
- 1
- Using Caesar's accounts of the British invasion in 55 BC, Gilbey describes the powerful horses used by ancient Britons in war chariots. These horses demonstrated strength, courage, and docility that impressed Roman observers.
- 2
- Ancient British coins from Cunobelin's era provide visual evidence of the horse's importance and characteristics. The coins show horses with features similar to modern Shire horses, confirming their ancient lineage.
Key Themes
- Historical Continuity
- The book demonstrates how the Shire horse represents an unbroken lineage from ancient British war horses to modern agricultural animals. This continuity spans nearly 2,000 years of English history.
- Legislative Intervention in Breeding
- Multiple English monarchs passed laws regulating horse breeding, showing how the state recognized the strategic importance of maintaining strong horse bloodlines. These laws shaped the development of the breed through centuries.
- Military to Agricultural Transition
- The Great Horse evolved from carrying armored knights into battle to pulling plows and carts. This transformation reflects broader changes in warfare technology and agricultural practices.
Characters
- Sir Walter Gilbey(protagonist)
- The author and narrator, a Victorian baronet and horse breeding expert who traces the history of the Shire horse. He served as President of the Shire Horse Society and was deeply knowledgeable about equine history and breeding.
- Julius Caesar(major)
- Roman general whose accounts of British war chariots and horses provide the earliest written evidence of the Great Horse's ancestors. His observations form the foundation of Gilbey's historical argument.
- Henry VIII(major)
- English king who passed crucial legislation regulating horse breeding, including the first use of 'Shire' in connection with horses. He established royal studs and mandated breeding standards.
- Thomas Blundeville(major)
- 16th-century Norfolk writer who authored 'The Art of Ryding and Breaking Greate Horses' (1566). His detailed descriptions of horse breeds and breeding practices provide crucial historical evidence.
- Oliver Cromwell(major)
- Lord Protector who used Great Horses during the English Civil War. His correspondence reveals the value and characteristics of these horses in the 17th century.
- Ancient Britons(major)
- The original breeders and users of the war horses that became the Great Horse. They used chariots drawn by powerful horses to resist Roman invasion.
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Walter, Sir Gilbey. The Great Horse; Or, The War Horsefrom the Time of the Roman Invasion Till Its Development into the Shire Horse.. Lex, lex-books.com/book/the-great-horse-or-the-war-horsefrom-the-time-of-the-roman-invasion-till-its-dev-6494bf66-f2ea-40ba-ae48-90c89c88a799.Walter, S. G. (1899). The Great Horse; Or, The War Horsefrom the Time of the Roman Invasion Till Its Development into the Shire Horse.. Lex. https://lex-books.com/book/the-great-horse-or-the-war-horsefrom-the-time-of-the-roman-invasion-till-its-dev-6494bf66-f2ea-40ba-ae48-90c89c88a799Walter, Sir Gilbey. The Great Horse; Or, The War Horsefrom the Time of the Roman Invasion Till Its Development into the Shire Horse.. Lex. https://lex-books.com/book/the-great-horse-or-the-war-horsefrom-the-time-of-the-roman-invasion-till-its-dev-6494bf66-f2ea-40ba-ae48-90c89c88a799.
