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,Oakeshott, Ewart. A Knight and his Horse, Rev. 2nd Ed. USA:Dufour Editions, 1998 (from Old French cours, 'to run'Oxford English Dictionary, 10th Ed, 1999). However, the word possibly derived from the Italian corsiero, meaning 'battle horse'.Hyland, Ann. The Warhorse 1250-1600, UK: Sutton Publishing, 1998

Coursers in warfare Coursers, occurring more commonly than destriers,Prestwich, Michael. Armies and Warfare in the Middle Ages: The English Experience, New Haven: Yale University Press, 1996, were used in battle, as they were light, fast and strong. They were valuable horses, but less expensive than the highly prized destriers.Gravett, Christopher. English Medieval Knight 1300-1400, Oxford: Osprey Publishing, 2002, p 59 Another horse commonly ridden during war was the rouncey, an all-purpose horse.

Other uses Coursers were also used occasionally for hunting.

See also Horses in the Middle Ages

Notes and references