Scouts on Telham Hill observe the movements of Harold’s troops. The the man on the gold horse is Hugh Margot, a tonsured monk of Fecamp. It is recorded that Hugh had been sent by William with the message that Harold was to either resign the crown, allow the Pope to arbitrate, or resolve the matter by single combat. Harold refused on all counts. The horses used by the scouts were coursers. The courser was the racehorse of medieval times, the equivalent of today’s thoroughbred racehorse. Built for speed, the courser was a strong lean horse with stamina and endurance. The courser came to England from the Kingdom of Naples.