Cyclas, scapular, brown

Product description

During the High and Late Middle Ages, monks from monastic orders wore a tabard over their tunic. The tabard was fastened with a belt, serving as a humble piece of clothing worn by the lower classes in society, such as farmers and foot soldiers. It was designed to protect the tunic and other garments beneath it from dirt during work.

From the twelfth century onwards, knights wore surcoats over their plate armour. Amongst historians, it is widely held that the wearing of a white surcoat originated during the era of the Crusaders, as it reflected heat away from the plate armour. In later periods, other colours were also adopted. From the thirteenth century onwards, the heraldry of the knight was depicted upon the garment, so that it could be recognised on the battlefield.

The tabard may be worn as the simple garment of monks, farmers and foot soldiers, or as a surcoat over plate armour. It may also be decorated with your own heraldry, or customised with the cross of a knightly order.