1. A member of the household guard or retinue of a medieval English king or nobleman; a professional warrior who served in a lord's personal military force.
Usage: archaic; historical; also spelled housecarl

Examples

• The king's housecarles formed an elite fighting force that protected the royal court.
• Housecarles were typically well-armed and trained, distinguishing them from common soldiers.
• William the Conqueror faced fierce resistance from the housecarles of King Harold at Hastings.
• A nobleman would maintain a band of housecarles to defend his lands and interests.
• The housecarles served as both bodyguards and military commanders in medieval England.