Courser (horse)
This 12th century depiction of a knight on horseback might show a courser.
A courser is a swift and strong horse, frequently used during the Middle Ages as a warhorse. It was ridden by knights and men-at-arms.
Etymology
Coursers are commonly believed to be named for their running gait, (from Old French cours, 'to run'). However, the word possibly derived from the Italian corsiero, meaning 'battle horse'.
Coursers in warfare
The courser was more common than the destrier, and used for battle as they were light, fast and strong. They were valuable horses, but less expensive than the highly prized destrier. Another horse commonly ridden during war was the rouncey, an all-purpose horse.
Other uses
Coursers were also used occasionally for hunting.
See also
Notes and references
- ^ a b Oakeshott, Ewart. A Knight and his Horse, Rev. 2nd Ed. USA:Dufour Editions, 1998
- ^ Oxford English Dictionary, 10th Ed, 1999
- ^ a b Hyland, Ann. The Warhorse 1250-1600, UK: Sutton Publishing, 1998
- ^ Prestwich, Michael. Armies and Warfare in the Middle Ages: The English Experience, New Haven: Yale University Press, 1996,
- ^ Gravett, Christopher. English Medieval Knight 1300-1400, Oxford: Osprey Publishing, 2002, p 59