"Elite Imported Horses: Unearthing London's Tudor-Era Equestrian Legacy"
An animal cemetery discovered in Westminster, London, 30 years ago was found to contain exotic horses used in jousting tournaments during the medieval and Tudor period. Researchers from the University of Exeter analyzed the chemical composition of the horse burials, revealing that the horses were imported from Scandinavia, the Alps, and other northern and eastern European locations. The findings provide unprecedented evidence of horse movement and trading practices in medieval London, shedding light on the elite's efforts to acquire the best quality horses for jousting contests held in Westminster.