Horses are large, herbivorous, domesticated mammals with solid hoofs and flowing manes and tails. They are used by the people of Albion as a means of transportation and to pull and carry loads.
History[]
Knights frequently used horses in the course of their duties.
The Black Knight challenged the Knights of Camelot to a duel after jumping his horse through a stained glass window (Excalibur).
Cedric released all the horses in the royal stables as part of a plot to undermine Merlin's position as Arthur's manservant (The Curse of Cornelius Sigan).
The Knights of Camelot often used horses to conduct mounted patrols and to participate in sports such as jousting (The Once and Future King, Lancelot du Lac).
Uther sent for the Witchfinder after Merlin was seen conjuring a horse out of smoke (The Witchfinder).
Morgause enchanted Arthur's horse to lead him to her fortress (The Sins of the Father).
Merlin realized that the visions he saw in the Crystal Cave were coming true when he saw Morgana struggling with a horse (The Crystal Cave).
Princess Elena was an excellent horsewoman and was especially fond of racing them (The Changeling).
When Elyan was kidnapped by Cenred, Merlin tried to stop Morgana from accompanying the rescue party to the Castle of Fyrien by directing a passing snake to scare her horse (The Castle of Fyrien).
When Alator kidnapped Gaius, he released a white stallion from the royal stables to make it look like he'd fled of his own accord (The Secret Sharer).
When Arthur and his men were ambushed by Morgana, Merlin directed a nearby snake to spook a Saxon's horse. Later, after Merlin and Arthur were captured by Ragnor and his men, Merlin used his magic to influence a horse so he and Arthur could escape (Arthur's Bane).
When Morgana kidnapped Gwen, she conjured venomous snakes to scare her and her escorts' horses (The Dark Tower).
While on a ride with Gwen to celebrate their anniversary, an explosion spooked Arthur's horse and his girth snapped, causing him to fall. They were ambushed by bandits immediately afterward (A Lesson in Vengeance).
After Arthur was mortally wounded in the Battle of Camlann, Morgana ran off his and Merlin's horses to prevent them from reaching the Lake of Avalon (The Diamond of the Day).
Trivia[]
- Horses have appeared more often than any other animal in Merlin.
- Morgana enjoyed working with horses and frequently went riding (The Crystal Cave).
In the Legend[]
King Arthur owned a pair of horses in Arthurian Legend. The first was the mare Llamrei, which he used to haul the Afanc monster from the lake, and the second was the stallion Hengroen, which accompanied Arthur to the battlefield of Camlann.
Gawaine also owned a distinctive horse called Gringolet that he regarded as a beloved friend. A sturdy charger with distinctive ears, Gringolet has appeared in many Arthurian legends. Among the most well known of these tales is Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, which has several lines dedicated to Gringolet's ornate appearance.
Gallery[]
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