Fact-checked by Grok 2 weeks ago

Postilion

A (or postillion) is a who rides the near (left) horse of a pair or team drawing a horse-drawn , acting as a guide, especially when there is no seated on the . The term originates from postillon (mail carrier using post-horses), derived from postiglione, ultimately from posta (post). First known use dates to 1640. Postilion may also refer to a processing developed by .

Definition and Origins

Definition

A postilion is a mounted rider positioned on the lead or horses of a team harnessed to a or other , responsible for directing the animals and thus controlling the conveyance, particularly in setups without a seated atop the vehicle. This role distinguishes the postilion from a traditional , who drives from an elevated box on the itself, as the postilion instead rides directly on the nearside (left-hand) of a pair or the lead pair in larger teams to maintain visibility and leverage for guidance. Such arrangements were employed for vehicles designed without a , including lightweight post-chaises, ceremonial state coaches like the coach à la Daumont, and limbers. The term "postilion" derives from the historical post system of relay stations for mail and , emphasizing the rider's association with swift, staged journeys. Postilions were prevalent across 17th- to 19th-century and North America, facilitating mail delivery, elite travel on routes like England's Bath Road, and during campaigns. In practice, the postilion coordinated the team by holding connected to the lead ' bits, issuing commands through voice or gestures, and occasionally using a held in the right hand to signal adjustments, thereby managing turns, halts, accelerations, and overall synchronization among the animals.

and Historical Roots

The term "postilion" (also spelled "postillion") originates from the postillon, attested in the 1530s, and its likely source, the postiglione (from the ), denoting a guide or forerunner for post-coaches. This derives from posta, meaning "" or "," which traces back to Latin posita, the feminine past of ponere ("to place"), referring to placed stations along postal routes for relaying messages and s. The word entered English around as a figurative term for a "forerunner," evolving by the 1620s to specifically describe a rider guiding the near-side lead of a team drawing a , particularly in contexts where hired post-horses facilitated rapid dispatch. The historical roots of the postilion emerge in 16th-century amid the development of organized postal networks, which relied on systems of horses and riders to expedite communication. A seminal example is the imperial post established by the family in the , granted a monopoly in 1497 by Emperor Maximilian I and expanded under Franz von Taxis, employing mounted couriers to traverse routes across , , and the . In this system, early postilions—initially simple horse guides—ensured the swift exchange of horses at stations, supporting both official dispatches and emerging private mail services. By the 17th century, the postilion's role became more formalized, particularly in , where postal reforms under Louis XIV's minister, the Marquis de Louvois, centralized the Messageries system in 1672, standardizing relay stations and rider protocols for national efficiency. This innovation spread to following the in 1660, with the re-enactment of postal laws promoting stagecoaches and post-chaises; by the late 1660s, postilions were integral to these vehicles, riding without a to navigate routes like the London-to-York line. Cultural variations include the French postillon d'escorte, denoting an escort rider in ceremonial or secure convoys, reflecting the term's adaptability across European postal traditions. In the 18th century, innovations like the "daumont" carriage—named after Louis-Marie-Victor d'Aumont, 8th Duke of Aumont (d. 1799), who favored postilion-driven designs for their agility—further embedded the role in elite travel, influencing carriage construction for better horse control.

Roles and Applications

Civilian Travel and Coaching

In civilian contexts, postilions served as mounted riders who guided teams of horses drawing stagecoaches, private carriages, and mail wagons, typically riding the near-side leader horse in four- or six-horse configurations to control the team's direction and pace without a coachman on the box. Their primary duties included leading the horses along routes, signaling for stops, and overseeing swift horse changes at post-houses spaced every 10-15 miles, which allowed teams to maintain momentum by replacing fatigued animals with fresh ones. This relay system enabled average speeds of 7-8 miles per hour in summer conditions, rising to 8-10 miles per hour on improved turnpike roads by the late 18th century. The use of postilions facilitated faster and more efficient long-distance travel compared to earlier foot or methods, as exemplified by the from to , which took about three days by coach in the 1660s rather than weeks on foot. For and private travelers, postilion-driven carriages like post-chaises offered enhanced privacy by dispensing with a visible on the elevated seat, allowing discreet for passengers inside enclosed . These arrangements were essential for multi-horse teams where direct control from horseback ensured stability and speed on routes serving passengers, , and . Postilions were integral to 18th-century English coaching networks, notably in services like the Flying Coach introduced in 1784, which connected major cities with scheduled relays for reliable civilian and postal transport. In , they managed teams for diligences on provincial routes, such as those from to , where postilions rode the front left horse to navigate local roads while the conductor oversaw the rear. In the American colonies, postilions emerged in operations along established post roads, including the Boston Post Road formalized in 1673, supporting expanding mail and passenger services by the mid-18th century. Postilions faced significant hardships, including constant exposure to harsh without , heightening risks of illness or discomfort during extended journeys. The demands of quick relays at post-houses often led to falls from the lead horse, particularly on uneven or muddy roads, while the role required expert horsemanship to handle spirited teams under varying conditions.

Military and Artillery Service

In military contexts, postilions served as specialized riders who guided the lead horses of teams drawing limbers and , enabling swift positioning and deployment of guns amid the demands of battlefield mobility. They typically rode the near-side (left) horse of each pair in the team, controlling direction and pace while the gunners rode additional horses or the limber itself. This arrangement was essential for units, where postilions ensured coordinated movement over varied terrain, often under fire, to support and advances. During the (1799–1815), French postilions in the Imperial Guard's Artillery Train managed six-horse teams for each gun or caisson, facilitating the rapid setup of "grand batteries"—concentrated masses of artillery that delivered devastating firepower, as exemplified in the 1812 Russian campaign where 196 guns across 26 batteries were maneuvered into position. The British , established in 1793 to provide close to cavalry, similarly relied on postilion-led teams throughout the era and into the , maintaining the practice until the early 20th century. By , postilions remained in use for horse-drawn artillery; ANZAC forces at the in 1917 employed them to haul 18-pounder field guns through mud-choked terrain, as illustrated in Harold Septimus Power's 1920 painting Bringing Up the Guns, which depicts three postilions directing a six-horse team in the effort. Following the war, such units transitioned to mechanized towing, phasing out horse-drawn artillery by the . The postilion system offered tactical advantages, including a lower profile for the gun limber compared to wheeled vehicles with mounted drivers, which improved stability and maneuverability in zones, and allowed riders to dismount quickly for routes or dodging enemy projectiles. Military postilions underwent rigorous training emphasizing animal handling, precise formations, and battlefield courage, often incorporating techniques like prolonge traces—extended lines that enabled guns to be dragged sideways or at angles for repositioning without unhitching. Their exposed position on horseback, however, resulted in elevated casualty rates, as they were prime targets while directing teams through hostile fire.

Ceremonial and State Functions

In ceremonial contexts, postilions lead ornate horse-drawn carriages during parades and state processions to preserve historical authenticity, typically with one rider per pair of horses attired in period uniforms for visual and . This practice ensures precise control of the team without a visible , emphasizing the elegance and discipline of the event. For instance, during the United Kingdom's in 2015, the was drawn by six Windsor Grey horses guided by three postilion riders in scarlet state livery, maintaining the pomp of royal processions as the travels from to the Palace of Westminster. In the United States, the postilion tradition endures in military honors at , where the Caisson Detachment of the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) employs postilion riding to escort fallen service members since the unit's reactivation in 1948. Following a temporary suspension in 2023 due to equine welfare concerns and a subsequent overhaul, the unit resumed limited operations in 2025. Riders control pairs of horses in a traditional configuration—wheel, swing, and lead teams—with the near-side horse mounted, drawing on World War I-era caissons for dignified transport. This was notably featured in former President Ronald Reagan's 2004 , where the horse-drawn caisson bore his casket along , accompanied by a named Sergeant York symbolizing the fallen leader's equestrian legacy. The practice persists today primarily in and the , constrained elsewhere by stringent regulations that limit equine use in public spectacles. The , formed in 1947, exemplifies this continuity by deploying postilion riders to maneuver six-horse teams pulling QF 13-pounder guns during , the annual monarch's birthday parade, where the troop's precise gallops across underscore ceremonial precision. Symbolically, the postilion role embodies continuity of monarchical and heritage, with riders drawn from units to project unyielding discipline and national pride in an era of mechanized transport. By evoking 18th- and 19th-century traditions, these figures reinforce institutional legacies, as seen in the Old Guard's adherence to postilion methods that honor historical valor while adapting to modern oversight on equine care.

Equipment and Attire

The Mount and Riding Position

Postilions typically rode the near-side (left-hand) horse of the lead pair in multi-horse teams, allowing right-handed individuals to manage reins effectively with their dominant hand. This positioning facilitated control over the entire team, particularly in or row harness setups common by the . Preferred mounts were strong, steady s capable of sustained effort, often geldings or mares suited to work. In diligence teams, a single postilion rode the off wheeler in five-horse configurations, using extended for efficiency on long routes. The riding position involved a specialized postilion saddle, which included additional straps to secure traces and ring fittings for , often equipped with stirrups to aid balance and quick dismounts during relays. Postilions supplemented with bells for signaling turns or whips for urging pace, ensuring coordinated movement without a . Control techniques emphasized a balanced posting to synchronize with the team's , minimizing jolts and preserving stamina over distances of 10-15 miles per . Postilions leaned into turns for terrain adjustments, using body weight and pressure to navigate curves or inclines, a method refined for safety on uneven roads. By the 1700s, setups evolved from single-pair hitches to multi-horse configurations (three or four abreast or in ), driven by demands for faster travel in stagecoaches and private chaises, with postilions assuming primary guidance roles.

Livery and Protective Gear

Postilions in the typically wore distinctive that combined functionality with indicators of status and service, often featuring a short reaching to the waist, adorned with gold or silver for decorative and identificatory purposes. In during the , this included a knee-length buttoned known as a '' with a caped , paired with a , , heavy riding boots, and a round or low-crowned , emphasizing durability for long-distance travel. Colonial American postilions, such as those in households, received ordered livery suits from , complete with silver-laced hats to denote their role in coaching services. Protective gear was essential for postilions exposed to the elements and rigors of riding, including heavy boots designed to shield the calves and knees from impacts with coach shafts, mud, and road debris; French examples from the late highlight oiled black construction with reinforced knees for such protection. Additional items like waterproof capes provided weather resistance during extended journeys, while gloves ensured a secure grip on amid varying conditions. In contexts, such as service, postilions adapted standard unit attire, incorporating elements like sabre slings for utility, though specifics varied by . Regional variations reflected local materials and practical needs, with English postilions favoring fabrics in simpler, robust designs suited to frequent road use and variable . postilions emphasized protective elements in their gear, adapting to the demands of continental coaching routes. In the American colonies and early , livery incorporated durable leathers and laced hats, tailored for reliability in less formalized systems. Over time, postilion attire evolved from the elaborate 18th-century styles toward more utilitarian forms in the , prioritizing practicality for commercial travel while retaining ornate elements for ceremonial roles. Modern ceremonial postilions at the Royal Mews continue full-dress nearly unchanged from Victorian precedents, featuring scarlet jackets with extensive gold lace—over 41 meters per garment—to preserve historical tradition.

The Post System and Travel Practices

The post system was a network of relay stations, typically spaced 10 to 15 miles apart along major roads, where travelers and couriers could exchange exhausted horses for fresh ones to maintain speed during long-distance journeys. In Britain, this infrastructure evolved significantly in the late 18th century under the oversight of the Post Office, with postilions playing a key role in coordinating timely arrivals and departures at these stations to ensure seamless transitions. Tariffs for hiring post chaises and horses were standardized by distance, such as approximately 18 pence per mile for a pair of horses and a post boy in the early 19th century, reflecting regulated rates that supported the system's economic viability. Travel practices under the post system, known as "posting," emphasized efficiency through frequent horse changes, allowing coaches to average 7 to 8 on improved roads. This relay method persisted across Europe via systems like the Thurn and Taxis network, which established stations for horse swaps and enabled deliveries such as to in 36 hours by the late 18th century. The system's decline began in the 1830s with the rise of railroads, which offered faster and more reliable service; by the mid-19th century, most British stagecoaches had been withdrawn, though posting lingered in remote areas into the early . Globally, the post system's principles spread to imperial through the yam network, formalized in the under and featuring relay stations 15 to 40 miles apart for messengers using tarantas wagons.) In the colonial Americas, similar relay practices appeared in the of 1860–1861, where postilion-like riders on horseback covered 1,966 miles from to in relay segments, operating for 18 months until supplanted by the transcontinental telegraph. Economically, the post system's standardized speeds facilitated reliable timetables, as demonstrated by the 1784 experimental from to , which completed the journey in 13 hours—halving previous times and boosting postal revenue through passenger fares. Postilions' modest wages, ranging from £6 to £20 annually for chaise drivers, were often supplemented by tips from passengers, underscoring the system's reliance on informal incentives to sustain operations.

Derivative Terms and Modern References

The term "posting" in modern practice, which describes the rider's rhythmic rising and falling motion in the during a to minimize jarring, derives from the seated and rising action of postilion riders managing horses over long distances. This technique, documented in 19th-century literature, allowed postilions to maintain control and endurance by aligning with the 's diagonal , influencing riding instruction that emphasized comfort for both and rider. Another derivative is the "postilion hitch," a harnessing configuration for multi-horse teams where the lead is saddled for a mounted to guide the ensemble, distinct from box-seat and still referenced in specialized contexts for historical accuracy. In contemporary settings, postilion riding persists in ceremonial reenactments, particularly U.S. events where participants portray drivers mounting the near-side to maneuver caissons and limbers, replicating 19th-century tactics. Literary depictions from the early 19th century, such as in Jane Austen's novels like and , portray postilions as integral to swift postal travel and social journeys, underscoring themes of class and urgency in Regency-era . Rare tourist experiences in evoke the postilion tradition through horse-drawn carriage rides. The postilion's legacy endures as a symbol of pre-industrial elegance in cultural media, though widespread use ended with automobile adoption in the early 20th century.

References

  1. [1]
    Postilion from ACI Worldwide
    What is Postilion? Postilion is a fully integrated set of modules designed to support electronic payments processing for banks, processors and merchants.
  2. [2]
    Our history | ACI Worldwide
    ACI was founded in Omaha, Nebraska, developing software for the new NonStop server computers that banks and stock exchanges were adopting.Missing: Postilion | Show results with:Postilion
  3. [3]
    ACI Recognized as Industry Leader in Ovum's Payment Switching ...
    Jan 24, 2014 · Leading research firm lauds both BASE24-eps and Postilion for their market impact—ACI only vendor with two industry leadership positions.
  4. [4]
    Travelling chariots - Blog | Regency History
    Aug 13, 2015 · A travelling chariot was designed to be driven by postilions or post-boys. This meant that the carriage was directed by one or more postilions— ...
  5. [5]
    Artillery Horses: Harness and Draught of the Napoleonic Era
    The horses to the left of the toungue or shaft were near horses, and each were ridden by a postillion driver. The harness for the off and near horses were the ...
  6. [6]
    Vehicles Found in France in the 1700 and 1800s: A-Z - geriwalton.com
    Oct 2, 2017 · Its name is sometimes appended to various vehicles, such as the Coach à la Daumont or Coupé à la Daumont. It used four horses, two jockeys ...
  7. [7]
    Postillon - Etymology, Origin & Meaning
    Postilion, from French postillon and Italian postiglione (1580s), means a mail-carrying horse guide or rider near leaders of a carriage.
  8. [8]
    None
    Nothing is retrieved...<|separator|>
  9. [9]
    Israel Jefferson: Recollections of a Monticello Slave - Digital History
    When about ten years of age, I was employed as postillion. Mr. Jefferson rode in a splendid carriage drawn by four horses. He called the carriage the landau.Missing: postilion control
  10. [10]
    post chaise - CandiceHern.com
    The post chaise was “steered” by postilions, or post boys, seated upon the horses. There was no seat for a driver, and none was needed. One post boy was engaged ...
  11. [11]
    The diary of Frances lady Shelley - Internet Archive
    ... postilion—a farmer picked up en route—without stirrups or boots. He carried ... guides the horses with his voice. They have no blinkers, and are ...
  12. [12]
    Which side of the road do they drive on? - Brian Lucas
    This is called postilion control. A right-handed rider mounts from the left and controls the team with a whip held in the right hand, and therefore must mount ...
  13. [13]
    postilion, n. meanings, etymology and more | Oxford English Dictionary
    postilion is of multiple origins. Partly a borrowing from French. Partly a borrowing from Italian. Etymons: French postillon; Italian postiglione. See etymology ...
  14. [14]
    Thurn and Taxis postal system | German Empire, Imperial Reforms ...
    Oct 11, 2025 · Thurn and Taxis postal system, imperial and, after 1806, private postal system operated in western and central Europe by the noble house of Thurn and Taxis.
  15. [15]
    Thurn and Taxis: How One Family Delivered Most of Early Modern ...
    Mar 2, 2022 · Thurn and Taxis was a noble family and princely house which dominated the delivery of post in Europe from the late 15th to 18th centuries.
  16. [16]
    [PDF] The post in Paris from the ancien régime to the revolution Presented ...
    Mar 31, 2016 · This was the beginning of a national postal service and in France existed alongside private courier services well into the seventeenth century.
  17. [17]
    The Project Gutenberg eBook of Stage-coach And Mail in Days of ...
    It was cheaper and safer for several travellers to go together, for one guide would serve the whole company on each stage, and it was not prudent to travel ...
  18. [18]
    A postillion: the rider of a leading pair of horses - 1900s.org
    A postilion (also spelt postilion and postillian) is someone who rides the lead nearside horse of a pair in order to guide them while pulling a carriage.
  19. [19]
    The Stagecoach - Historic UK
    Originating in England in the 13th century, the stagecoach as we know it first appeared on England's roads in the early 16th century. A stagecoach is so called ...
  20. [20]
    Mail coaches - The Postal Museum
    A whistlestop tour through the curious and dangerous history of British mail coaches.Missing: Flying | Show results with:Flying
  21. [21]
    Post-chaise Travel - The Trafalgar Way
    A post-chaise was a light, two-wheeled vehicle, initially a seat on a framework, later with a door, and was 'ride and drive' with a postillion.<|control11|><|separator|>
  22. [22]
    Diligence Coach: How People Traveled in It in France
    Mar 24, 2014 · The diligence coach was a Frenchman's main public conveyance. It was equivalent to its English counterpart, the stage coach.
  23. [23]
    Transportation in America's Postal System | FHWA
    Jun 30, 2023 · By 1800, the Post Office Department had purchased a number of stagecoaches for mail transport. Roads, which became known as post roads, were in ...Missing: postilion | Show results with:postilion
  24. [24]
    Artillery Train of the Guard: 1800-1815 - The Napoleon Series
    During battle, the guns were moved to assigned positions and then were switched from place to place, pulled back or sent forward as fortune demanded as the ...
  25. [25]
    Royal Horse Artillery - National Army Museum
    Formed in 1793, the Royal Horse Artillery initially provided fire support to the cavalry. Today, its regiments carry out a variety of artillery combat roles ...
  26. [26]
    Bringing up the guns | Australian War Memorial
    Commissioned to produce a large-scale battle scene, Septimus Power drew from his experince on the Western Front as an official war artist from September to ...Missing: harold | Show results with:harold
  27. [27]
    The King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery: the guns, the troopers and ...
    Apr 30, 2023 · The cavalry was then mechanised during the interwar years, and 1946 saw the formation of the regiment as The Riding Troop, later renamed The ...
  28. [28]
  29. [29]
    Provisional Caisson Detachment - Military District of Washington
    The Caisson Detachment assumed the responsibility of escorting our fallen in 1948 when the 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) was reactivated on Fort ...Missing: 1949 | Show results with:1949
  30. [30]
    Old Guard Caisson Platoon Soldier learn to ride | Article - Army.mil
    Mar 15, 2012 · Weis, an instructor for the course, explained the riders learn postilion-style riding at JBM-HH. The style requires a rider to control two ...
  31. [31]
    Arlington's Ceremonial Horses and Funerals at the White House
    At 16th Street and Constitution Avenue, NW, on June 9, 2004, President Reagan's coffin was transferred to an Old Guard horse-drawn caisson from a hearse for the ...
  32. [32]
    The King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery - The British Army
    As His Majesty's Mounted Ceremonial Battery, the King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery role includes the firing of Royal Salutes to mark the grand occasions of ...<|control11|><|separator|>
  33. [33]
    Army overhauls its troubled equine unit for Arlington's funeral caissons
    Dec 29, 2024 · Many are prone to ulcers and some to problems brought on by changes in weather. Some become seriously injured by getting stuck between stall ...
  34. [34]
    The Project Gutenberg eBook of Carriages and Coaches, by Ralph ...
    It is merely a book about carriages, in which particular regard has been paid to chronological sequence, and particular attention to such individual carriages.
  35. [35]
    [PDF] The horse in all his varieties and uses - Darwin Online
    ... feet and legs. Wide, flat, and soft hoofs—their oppo- sites, with contracted ... length of the stirrup leathers. Bakewell's opinion in the case of a.<|separator|>
  36. [36]
    [PDF] Recollections of My Military Life - Electric Scotland
    should cut down the wheel horse postilion, raising ... wheel horse's postilion, and on his left-hand ... with a pad or pack-saddle, without stirrups, and ...
  37. [37]
    Breastplates & Cruppers: Front to Back Saddle Stabilization
    Nov 8, 2017 · A breastplate will stop the saddle from sliding backwards down toward their bum and then, the reverse situation, a crupper will stop it from sliding forward ...Missing: postilion | Show results with:postilion
  38. [38]
    The Royal Mews - Drawing Covert
    May 22, 2018 · The livery for the coachmen is as elaborate as the fittings for the ... “Full State postilion jackets have over 41 metres of gold lace ...
  39. [39]
    Scarlet and blue: a traditional uniform at Christmas
    Dec 1, 2015 · The mounted post boy of the Georgian era wore a knee-length red buttoned cloak or 'rocket' with a caped collar, a jacket, breeches, heavy riding ...Missing: 18th | Show results with:18th
  40. [40]
  41. [41]
    To the letter: exploring the museum's collection of postal artefacts
    Early form of express delivery before car, train and even carriage, was to have a rudimentary relay of horses on route. As a messenger on horseback, you want a ...
  42. [42]
    Postilion boots, second half of 18th century, Louis XV's and Louis ...
    These surprising boots were used for postilions to protect their calves and knees from the shocks caused by the shaft of the coaches they drove.
  43. [43]
    Biographies - George Washington's Mount Vernon
    In 1791, the last year he appears in historical records, Giles was at least 40 years old. As a postilion, he wore a livery suit and a cap with tassels.
  44. [44]
    Highlights of the Royal Mews - Royal Collection Trust
    Diamond Jubilee State Coach ... Built to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee, this is the newest coach at the Mews and was first used at the State ...Missing: riders | Show results with:riders
  45. [45]
    John Palmer & the Mail Coach - The Postal Museum
    Aug 8, 2018 · The mail coaches travelled at a speed of around 7 to 8 miles an hour and changed horses every 10 to 15 miles. The coaches also had space for ...
  46. [46]
    Postal horse relays and roads in France, from the 17th to the 19th ...
    ### Summary of Historical Postal Relay Systems in France/Europe
  47. [47]
    Stage-coach History - Great North Road
    Feb 5, 2024 · Stage-coaches came to embody the thrill and excitement of high-speed travel in the 17th, 18th and early 19th centuries.
  48. [48]
    Genghis Kahn Installs a Postal System within the Mongol Empire ...
    The postal stations were 15 to 40 miles apart, and had reliable attendants. Couriers reaching postal stations would be provided food, shelter and spare horses.
  49. [49]
    1860–1861 History - National Pony Express Association
    Young men once rode horses to carry mail from Missouri to California in the unprecedented time of only 10 days! This relay system along the Pony Express ...
  50. [50]
    Wages - Website of Pascal Bonenfant
    The cost of labour in 18th century Britain. ... Post-chaise drivers, £6-20. Head Gardener, £30. Assistant Gardener, £4. *Footmen in the first half of the century ...
  51. [51]
    Why Do We Call It "Posting" Trot? - Horse Network
    Nov 23, 2021 · Posting the trot allowed both horse and rider to travel a further distance before requiring a break. This form of travel was known as travelling by post, ...Missing: techniques | Show results with:techniques
  52. [52]
    Breeching Question - #12 by goodhors - Driving - Chronicle Forums
    Apr 18, 2023 · ... Postillion manner of harnessing is not what is seen on 4-6-8 horse hitches used elsewhere or like American Military cannon postillion hitches.Safety issue and a pet peeve-- - Driving - Chronicle ForumsArlington Cemetary Casson horses - Driving - Chronicle ForumsMore results from forum.chronofhorse.comMissing: postilion | Show results with:postilion
  53. [53]
    As the Wheel Turns: Horse-Drawn Vehicles in Jane Austen's Novels
    The hired post-chaise was painted canary yellow and driven by a postilion who rode one of the horses. According to Jones, a post-chase with two horses cost 1 ...<|control11|><|separator|>