Destrier (from which the Modern English spelling derives). The word is also found in medieval Provençal (as "destrier") and Italian (as "destriere", "destriero"). These forms themselves derived from the Vulgar Latin "equus dextarius", meaning "right-sided horse" (from "dextra", "right hand", the same root as "dexterous" and "dexterity"). This may refer to it being led by the squire at the knight's right side (or led by the right hand) or to the horse's gait, (possibly leading with the right). The word "destrier" does not refer to a breed, but to a "type" of horse: the finest and strongest warhorse. These horses were
Portrait of a Knight of Malta Portrait of a Knight of Malta Portrait of a Knight of Malta is a c.1515 oil on canvas painting by Titian of a knight belonging to the Order of Malta. It is now in the Uffizi in Florence. The last bead of the rosary held by the knight bears the number XXXV (35), showing the subject's age at the time of the portrait. W.F. Dickes. argued that he was Stefano Colonna, the condottiero who led the republican resistance during the siege of Florence. cited in Thanks to Paolo del Sera, his agent in Venice, cardinal Leopoldo de' Medici acquired several