Product description
The tradition of wearing a surcoat over armor began during the Crusades. Surcoats helped prevent overheating by shielding the armor from direct sunlight. They also provided ideal protection for the mail hauberk and later helped protect plate armor from corrosion and rust. Surcoats could even help protect knights from enemies. For example, there is a story of a knight being shot with arrows; the surcoat slowed the arrows, reducing their impact.
This surcoat features a slit, allowing the knight to use it more easily for cavalry purposes. From the late 12th century, knights primarily wore long surcoats. By the mid-13th century, these garments were increasingly adorned with personal coats of arms and, in addition to knights, were sometimes worn by foot soldiers in their retinues. In the early 14th century, shorter surcoats became fashionable, and by the late 14th century, they were replaced by the jupont.
This surcoat from Marshal Historical is decorated with the Cross of the Templar Order. It is made of coarse cotton, resembling historical linen. A perfect surcoat for medieval reenactment, Templar costumes, and LARP.
