"What is a currour?" Topic

Title says it all really. I've come across the term but I don't know what it means. I'd also be interested to know the etymology of the word. It doesn't appear in my dictionary (Chambers) and Google hasn't got me very far.

Thanks

Stephen

It's a late medieval cavalryman, not as heavily armoured as a knight but probably armed with a lance and a sword.

Alan's correct. They were often used as scouts. They were used commonly on the border between England and Scotland.

Ah, so something like this?

Perhaps related to 'curry' – To dress (a horse or leather). Old French coreer (corroyer, courroyer), to prepare. [E Weekley]

Druzhina
sites of wargaming interest

AKA a 'currer' or a 'pricker'. (don't look at me, I didn't make it up!)

Perhaps related to 'curry' – To dress (a horse or leather). Old French coreer (corroyer, courroyer), to prepare.

More likely related to coureur, the French word for 'runner'. It's where 'courier' comes from also.

Thanks for the information guys, much appreciated.

AKA a 'currer' or a 'pricker'. (don't look at me, I didn't make it up!)

Another alternative form seems to be "scurrer" as used eg. by the Perry twins.

I thought it also had an origin in "scourer" as in mopping up after an action.

DM

Or "scourer" as in scouring for information. Lighter troops would be more likely to in advance of the army in a recce mode rather than mopping up.

French texts of the period write "coureur" (= runner).

Used for reconnaissance and other light cavalry roles, although in chainmail and some armour.

Interesting!