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[[File:AberdeenBestiaryFolio008rTigerDetail.jpg|right|thumb|350 px|This depiction of a knight on horseback might show a courser.]] | {{Short description|Type of warhorse}} | ||
[[File:AberdeenBestiaryFolio008rTigerDetail.jpg|right|thumb|350 px|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 [[Horses in warfare|warhorse]]. It was ridden by [[knight]]s and [[Man-at-arms|men-at-arms]]. | A '''courser''' is a swift and strong horse, frequently used during the [[Middle Ages]] as a [[Horses in warfare|warhorse]]. It was ridden by [[knight]]s and [[Man-at-arms|men-at-arms]]. | ||
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==Coursers in warfare== | ==Coursers in warfare== | ||
Coursers, occurring more commonly than [[destrier]]s,<ref name="Prestwich">[[Michael Prestwich|Prestwich, Michael]]. ''Armies and Warfare in the Middle Ages: The English Experience'', New Haven: Yale University Press, 1996,</ref> were used in [[Medieval warfare|battle]], as they were light, fast and strong.<ref name="Oakeshott"/><!--p 11--> They were valuable horses, but less expensive than the highly prized destriers.<ref name="Gravett">[[Christopher Gravett|Gravett, Christopher]]. ''English Medieval Knight 1300-1400'', Oxford: Osprey Publishing, 2002, p 59</ref> Another horse commonly ridden during war was the [[rouncey]], an all-purpose horse. | |||
==Other uses== | ==Other uses== | ||
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==Notes and references== | ==Notes and references== | ||
<references/> | <references/> | ||
[[Category: | [[Category:Medieval warfare]] | ||
[[Category:Warhorses]] | [[Category:Warhorses]] | ||
[[Category:Types of horse]] | [[Category:Types of horse]] | ||
Latest revision as of 03:48, 25 February 2026
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[edit | edit source]
Coursers are commonly believed to be named for their running gait,[1] (from Old French cours, 'to run'[2]). However, the word possibly derived from the Italian corsiero, meaning 'battle horse'.[3]
Coursers in warfare[edit | edit source]
Coursers, occurring more commonly than destriers,[4] were used in battle, as they were light, fast and strong.[1] They were valuable horses, but less expensive than the highly prized destriers.[5] Another horse commonly ridden during war was the rouncey, an all-purpose horse.
Other uses[edit | edit source]
Coursers were also used occasionally for hunting.[3]
See also[edit | edit source]
Notes and references[edit | edit source]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Oakeshott, Ewart. A Knight and his Horse, Rev. 2nd Ed. USA:Dufour Editions, 1998
- ↑ Oxford English Dictionary, 10th Ed, 1999
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 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