Norman Conquest Encyclopedia

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Destrier

o ordinary horse would suit to carry a knight into battle. The destrier, the warhorse, was specially bred and trained to the task. Stallions had the necessary combative spirit, but were hard to control and demanded skilful horsemanship on the part of the rider.

See also: Horses; knight

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A Norman knight mounted on his destrier. (© Osprey Publishing Limited, from Campaign 13 Hastings 1066, by Christopher Gravett, artwork by Ed Dovey)