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War Horses
Following the disastrous reign of Thomas de L'Isle as Bishop, Edward III confiscated Somersham Manor from the Bishops of Ely and kept it as crown land for the middle years of the 14th century. During this time the manor (which was already widely renowned for breeding horses) was used as a stud for war horses used by Edward the Black Prince during the battles of the Hundred Years War.
27 October 1359
Order to Sir Peter Lacy, the Prince's clerk and receiver general.
Inasmuch as the prince has ordained that a destrier called Grisel de Lancastre and three young horses which he has left behind him in
To provide hay, oats, litter, shoes and all other things needful to them over and above the old purveyance of hay, oats and peas which the prince has there, and to pay 2d a day to the groom who keeps the destrier and 2d a day to Walter Canoun who has been appointed by the prince to keep the young horses, for their wages until the prince's return.
26 Feb 1361
Order to Sir Peter de Lacy the princes clerk and receiver general and to the auditors of the accounts of the princes ministers to account with the princes servant Eustace Wiseman, touching the costs of the princes great horses at Somersham while the prince was last beyond the seas. The receiver is to pay to the said Eustace and to the country people from whom he took victuals for the said horses, what shall be found due to them; and the auditors are to allow the receiver the said costs.
(from the Black Prince's register)