“…in winter, plough”: Zooarchaeological evidence for the changing role of draught cattle and horses in medieval England AD 400-1400

Cattle  were  the  tractors  of  medieval  England  and  provided  power  essential for agricultural production, yet horses were not widely used for draught until after AD 1250. Evidence for the use of cattle and horses for draught purposes in England between AD 400 and 1400 is presented. Findings are based on zooarchaeological analysis of the animal economy and pathological and sub-pathological changes to cattle feet, alongside documentary evidence for the use of cattle and horses for traction. The use of draught cattle varies depending on social structure and economic pressures, and the effect of the increasing use of horses on a decline in the use of cattle in some areas can be observed.