Early modern horses were rather like the cars of today – ownership or hire of a mount revolutionised travel, as it made it possible for the middling and their superiors to cover large distances in a shorter amount of time. But the analogy also works for the way modern cars are thought to show, at a glance, the status of their owners – owning a car shows your economic prowess, but in addition size, bodywork, make and speed all set the old banger apart from the sports car, and similarly the nag from the thoroughbred. In early modern England, being able to control a mount was a sign of superior authority in other areas of life too. <br /> <br /> This side-saddle was made in the 1550s, and designed for female riders so they could sit with their bodies facing entirely to the side rather than sitting astride the horse in a potentially revealing position (in a period before underwear was common for women). It reminds us that middling practice was often gendered in ways that rendered its experience qualitatively different. The saddle’s frame is made of wood, wrapped in leather and velvet. The plush seat is made from wool and covered in linen for comfort and style, attached by six straps to the underside of the horse. This saddle was clearly made for display – it may well have belonged to a wealthy woman, given its materials and decoration, but it may equally have been used for special occasions. <br /> <br /> Travel between provincial towns and London was not uncommon in this period, and those with civic posts were often required to travel from their home town to the capital city on behalf of their local government. Equally, the middling servants of elite families moved about on business or with their masters’ and mistresses’ peripatetic households. When important visitors came to town, those with civic roles were also expected to ride out to greet them: when the Queen visited Canterbury in 1573, for example, it was decreed that the mayor and aldermen would ‘Ryde in the Scarlett gownes with foote clothes to mete the queens majestie’, whereas the common councillors were ‘to be a foote in their best apparall in decent gownes’. Set apart by being above their inferiors, a smart saddle would be very appropriate for a middling townsman on such an occasion!<br /> <br /> Source: <a href='https://www.shakespeare.org.uk/explore-shakespeare/blogs/shakespeare-100-objects-side-saddle/' target='_blank'>https://www.shakespeare.org.uk/explore-shakespeare/blogs/shakespeare-100-objects-side-saddle/</a>
Saddle (Saddle), c.1525-1575

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Saddle

Saddle (Saddle), c.1525-1575

Early modern horses were rather like the cars of today – ownership or hire of a mount revolutionised travel, as it made it possible for the middling and their superiors to cover large distances in a shorter amount of time. But the analogy also works for the way modern cars are thought to show, at a glance, the status of their owners – owning a car shows your economic prowess, but in addition size, bodywork, make and speed all set the old banger apart from the sports car, and similarly the nag from the thoroughbred. In early modern England, being able to control a mount was a sign of superior authority in other areas of life too.

This side-saddle was made in the 1550s, and designed for female riders so they could sit with their bodies facing entirely to the side rather than sitting astride the horse in a potentially revealing position (in a period before underwear was common for women). It reminds us that middling practice was often gendered in ways that rendered its experience qualitatively different. The saddle’s frame is made of wood, wrapped in leather and velvet. The plush seat is made from wool and covered in linen for comfort and style, attached by six straps to the underside of the horse. This saddle was clearly made for display – it may well have belonged to a wealthy woman, given its materials and decoration, but it may equally have been used for special occasions.

Travel between provincial towns and London was not uncommon in this period, and those with civic posts were often required to travel from their home town to the capital city on behalf of their local government. Equally, the middling servants of elite families moved about on business or with their masters’ and mistresses’ peripatetic households. When important visitors came to town, those with civic roles were also expected to ride out to greet them: when the Queen visited Canterbury in 1573, for example, it was decreed that the mayor and aldermen would ‘Ryde in the Scarlett gownes with foote clothes to mete the queens majestie’, whereas the common councillors were ‘to be a foote in their best apparall in decent gownes’. Set apart by being above their inferiors, a smart saddle would be very appropriate for a middling townsman on such an occasion!

Source: https://www.shakespeare.org.uk/explore-shakespeare/blogs/shakespeare-100-objects-side-saddle/

Object Type Saddle
Year c.1525-1575
Material Leather, metal, textile and wood
Owned By SBT 1993-31/950
Keywords socialising; comfort; travel; leisure; occupation; outside; mobility; animal; craftsmanship; wood; textiles
Image Credit Saddle (c.1525-1575), leather, metal, textile and wood. SBT 1993-31/950, CC-BY-NC-ND; Image Courtesy of the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust.

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