14th Century Pourpoint of Charles de Blois, Wool, Deep Red

Product description

The Pourpoint of Charles de Blois is currently held at the Musée des Tissus et des Arts Décoratifs in Lyon, France. It is one of the best-preserved surviving items of clothing from the 14th century. The stored garment was an arming jacket constructed from layers of fabric stitched into one another. It featured 70 knots attaching the front and sleeves. The sleeves were constructed from several pieces of fabric, including a special finish around the shoulder and armhole known as "Grande Assiette" sleeves, which permitted the wearer to move their arms freely and easily.

The Pourpoint was a garment worn by noblemen in the late 14th century, both in civil and military situations. It marked an important change in Western fashion, as it led to a shift away from the rectangular silhouettes of medieval clothing towards the more refined styles of the modern period, which began to develop in the 15th century. The Pourpoint was originally conceived as a military item of clothing, cut at the waist to prepare the body for breast harness resting between the ribs and the pelvis. This ensured that the weight of the harness was distributed from the shoulders to the hips.

Rather than bearing the weight of harness upon the shoulders, late medieval knights chose to distribute the weight of their armour across their bodies. In time, this garment was also worn by nobles in their daily lives as outerwear — over the tunic — where it eventually replaced the tunic altogether.

This pourpoint is well-suited to 14th century medieval reenactment. It is a replica of the original, crafted from 100% recycled wool and lined with 100% canvas cotton.

The fibres of wool catch air, making it a natural insulator that helps you stay warm.
It is breathable, which means it keeps you warm without overheating.
Wool remains warm even when wet, and can repel water, making it a sound choice during rain.
Whilst not watertight, wool can absorb up to 30% of its weight in water before it feels wet, so that you stay dry in the rain for longer.
It is a durable material.
Wool is naturally flame-retardant and safer to wear than polyester during living history or historical events with campfires for warmth and cooking.

Detailed
Material: 100% recycled wool with a lining of 100% canvas cotton;
Colour: deep red;
Sizes: S to XXL;
Wash: hand wash at cold temperature or use a delicate washing programme in the machine;
Drying: air dry by placing flat in the shade to retain colour and shape;
Ironing: iron at a low temperature if necessary, or use steam to remove creases;
Stain cleaning: carefully dab with a damp cloth and mild soap for small spots;
Based on historical originals