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Glite Dictionary
gallowglass

gallowglass

1 9.9
A soldier from Scotland or Ireland who fought for pay in medieval times
  • noun
  • /ˈɡæl.oʊ.ɡlæs/
  • Archaic
translation icon : gallowglass
  • During the medieval siege, many gallowglass were hired for their strength and skill.

Examples

  • The king relied on the fearsome gallowglass to protect his realm from invaders.

  • 'The merciless Macdonwald from the Western Isles 'of kerns and gallowglasses is supplied.'

    Macbeth (2015)

  • The gallowglass fought bravely alongside his fellow warriors in the battle.

Synonyms

man-at-arms
vsgallowglass
  • Archaic
2 9.9

A soldier in medieval times who wears heavy armour and fights on horseback

is a hired warrior rather than one tied to a lord's retinue
Landsknecht
vsgallowglass
  • Archaic
9.9

A German foot soldier who served for pay in the 15th and 16th centuries

is of Scottish or Irish origin rather than German
huscarl
vsgallowglass
  • Archaic
9.9

A soldier who guards a king or noble and lives in their household in medieval times

is a hired foreign warrior rather than a household retainer

Surface Forms

gallowglass singular
gallowglasses plural

Etymology

Gallowglass comes from Irish words gall 'foreign' and óglach 'young warrior', so it originally meant a 'foreign young soldier'. These were strong, often Scottish fighters hired in medieval Ireland, so gallowglass now means a heavily armed mercenary or 'a soldier who was paid to fight'.