The horse in the Middle Ages

"The horse was an important a part of the history of the Middle Ages as were the monarchs, noblemen and ordinary people for whom it was indispensable. For the transport of people, mail and goods, agriculture and sport, the horse was absolutely central to medieval life, enabling a host of daily activities as well as sustaining a vast support industry of grooms, farriers, lorimers, smiths, wheelwrights and cordwainers. Ann Hyland discusses the working horse, the warhorse, horse breeding and trading and the whole infrastructure which kept the medieval equine world running. She concentrates on the horse in England, but the study is firmly grounded in a worldwide perspective, with much reference being made to the east, where medieval and modern horsecraft has its origins."--Jacket.