For Edward I and his nobility, finding warhorses was initially challenging as suitable horses were scarce in England, prompting them to source from overseas markets.
These fairs attracted international merchants selling a variety of goods, including cloth, wool, dyes, and, crucially, horses, which were essential for warfare.
The best warhorses, destriers, cost an average of £35, almost the entire annual income of some knights, underlining their status and military necessity.
Faced with the instability of foreign horse markets, Edward I was forced to consider alternatives after King Philip III of France prohibited warhorse exports.
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