An archaic or obsolete term for a light war-horse or cavalryman's mount; also spelled 'destrier' or 'dextrier' in Middle English.
From Old French 'destrier,' originally meaning 'right horse' (the horse led by the right hand during parades). The term evolved from Latin 'dexterarius' (relating to the right side), from 'dexter' (right).
A destry was a medieval knight's most precious possession—not for riding into battle (that was the palfrey), but for tournaments and show; the finest destries were valued as highly as sports cars today, sometimes costing a nobleman's annual income.
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