Feathered Horse Queen (meaning)

[Runeblogger]

Hi, the other day the following question crossed my mind:

What does exactly the title “Feathered Horse Queen” mean?

Is it the (Feathered Horse) Queen, in other words: the Queen of Feathered Horses (horses with a lot of hair in their feet)?

Or is it rather the Feathered (Horse Queen), that is, the Horse Queen that is decorated with feathers?

The depictions usually show her wearing feathers, so I guess it’s the second option. Also, her chit in the wargame also depicts her with feathers. Does anyone know for certain? 🤔🤔🤔
 

 

Edited December 31, 2023 by Runeblogger

[David Scott]

I've always presumed that it was another fanciful name that Greg noted down. A feathered horse is one with hairy feet, something that that a carnival/May/Gypsy queen might ride. Then he told William Church what he wanted and got a skirted horse with a feather headdress. Now we have: https://wellofdaliath.chaosium.com/inkarne-the-feathered-horse-queen/...

 

[Sir_Godspeed]

Kinda always assumed it was a reference to Native American headdresses, and kinda also assumed that it was one of those things where early on the Grazelanders were probably inspired by Great Plains Indians. Then as time goes on, they were developed more into their own thing. No idea if this is true.

[soltakss]

I think it's both. She has a headdress of feathers but could well ride horses with feathers on their feet/hooves, instead of having long hair there.

[Byll]

Gloranthan horses are descended from Gamara / Hippoi who used to have wings when she was Hippogriff so a feathered horse might be a throwback/heroquest-result that has actual feathers instead of hair, even if not winged

[Runeblogger]

9 hours ago, Byll said:

Gloranthan horses are descended from Gamara / Hippoi who used to have wings when she was Hippogriff so a feathered horse might be a throwback/heroquest-result that has actual feathers instead of hair, even if not winged

Yes, it could be. So you lean more on her being the Queen of Feathered Horses.

It could be both, as Soltakss says. It could be that she is dressed with a hat in the shape of a horse head with feathers, reminiscent of old Hippoi. In fact, that's what I interpret from the chit.

Maybe Greg didn't give William Church much art direction, only a name to draw. And what he drew became part of the character. But I guess we'll never know now. 🥲

Thanks everyone for your insights!

[g33k]

(D) All of the Above.

Yes, Hippoi was a Feathered Horse; as queen of the people descended from the original Horse Folk, she honors that ancient origin.

Yes, the FHQ regalia includes feathers (so does her informal/daily wear!).

Yes, she rides horses with extensive "feathering" (flowing hairs).

Yes, sometimes the Goldeneye breed actually has throwbacks (or Heroquest effects) with real feathers in place of the hair-based "feathering;" these tend to be the mounts of the FHQ and other VIP's of the Pure Horse People.

[mfbrandi]

36 minutes ago, g33k said:

Yes, sometimes the Goldeneye breed actually has throwbacks … with real feathers

Well, the goldeneye is not just a bird but a duck, Bucephala clangula. What could be more Gloranthan than that? Alexander’s thoughts on the matter are not, I think, recorded.