Rouncey

 ( Warfare Of The Middle Ages ) 

During the Middle Ages the term " rouncey" (also spelt rouncy or rounsey) referred to an ordinary, all-purpose horse.

Rounceys were used for Equestrianism, but could also be trained for war. It was not unknown for them to be used as . The horse, which was also referred to as runcinus, is believed to have been a harrowing animal on account of its proportions as found in demesne stock-listings before it became an exclusively riding animal.

John Langdon (2002). 9780521267724, Cambridge University Press. . ISBN 9780521267724

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Use in warfare While the destrier is the most well-known warhorse of the Medieval era, it was the least common, and coursers were often preferred for Medieval warfare. Both were expensive, highly trained horses prized by and nobles, while a poorer knight, squire or man-at-arms would use a rouncey for fighting. A wealthy knight would provide rounceys for his retinue.Ewart Oakeshott. A Knight and his Horse, Rev. 2nd Ed. USA:Dufour Editions, 1998Gravett, Christopher. English Medieval Knight 1300-1400, Oxford: Osprey Publishing, 2002, p 59

Sometimes the expected nature of warfare dictated the choice of horse; when a summons to war was sent out in England in 1327, it expressly requested rounceys, for swift pursuit, rather than destriers.Prestwich, Michael. Armies and Warfare in the Middle Ages: The English Experience, New Haven: Yale University Press, 1996, p 318 Small sized rounceys were also preferred by mounted archers.

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See also

• Horses in the Middle Ages
• Irish Hobby
• Palfrey

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