Medieval Tunic
Surcoat in the Middle Ages, also known as Wappenkleid or Wappenrock, was worn over armor by crusaders, nobles, guards, and aristocrats in the Middle Ages to distinguish friend from foe in battle. For this purpose, it usually featured the color combination and heraldic device of the liege lord or knightly order. The surcoat probably developed in the 12th century during the Crusades as protection for armor from sun exposure. Initially plain, it was later richly decorated with the wearer's coat of arms and colors in the later Middle Ages and became a visually striking medieval garment.
Who can wear a medieval surcoat?
Whether a knight, nobleman, city guard, bodyguard, duke, or even a king, they mostly wore a surcoat over their chainmail in the Middle Ages. And no matter if you want to be a knight, king or city guard, with the right surcoat you have already won a lot. Nothing except a surcoat, for example in natural with a red cross, unmistakably identifies you as a Templar, even without chainmail underneath! The surcoat was always worn over chainmail, by the way, if you want to get one. At the bottom, a surcoat usually has a long slit and is open at the side to give you freedom of movement. You'll notice your surcoat is already an important and visible part of your military medieval clothing. Oh, and if the question arises, no, Vikings did not wear surcoats!
What should I consider when buying a medieval surcoat?
If you want to buy a surcoat, you should know where and what for you will wear it. For LARP, you can actually choose freely which surcoat you want to buy; it should meet your requirements, you should like it, and it should fit your LARP character. For the medieval market, you can also buy any surcoat; the color should probably match, but most importantly, you should like it! However, if you are doing historical representation, i.e., Reenactment, find out what color combinations and possibly what heraldry the desired surcoat requires. The historically correct fabric is then also crucial. If you are unsure, just contact us or visit us at our shop in Magdeburg; we are historical knight re-enactors ourselves and can help a "little". By the way, the surcoat is always combined with wearing a belt; it fastens the surcoat to the body and at the same time gives you the opportunity to attach one or another piece of equipment to it.
