Postilion

A postilion or postillion is a person who rides a harnessed horse that is pulling a horse-drawn vehicle such as a <a href="/facts/Coach_(carriage)/fVA4HkcX">coach</a>, rather than driving from behind as a <a href="/facts/Coachman/7yRvv2jJ">coachman</a> does. This method is used for pulling wheeled vehicles that do not have a driver's seat, such as many ceremonial <a href="/facts/State_coach/sKEf6Vn8">state coaches</a> and artillery <a href="/facts/Limbers_and_caissons/mpIa4znV">limbers and caissons</a>. Postilion riders are generally arranged one rider for each pair of horses, riding the left horse.: 373 
Originally the English name for a guide or forerunner for the post (mail) or a messenger, it became transferred to the actual <a href="/facts/Mail_carrier/dTYuMg8f">mail carrier</a> or messenger and also to a person who rides a <a href="/facts/Stage_station/95APpXng">(hired) post horse</a>. The same persons made themselves available as a less expensive alternative to hiring a coachman, particularly for light, fast vehicles.
A carriage or coach that was arranged without a driver's seat and intended for guidance by postilions, had à la Daumont appended, such as "coach à la Daumont". Daumont is a corruption of the French d'Aumont from the 8th <a href="/facts/House_of_Aumont/vcxxytdL">Duke of Aumont</a> who preferred this manner of travel.: 121 : 62

Postilion open-in-new

Postilion