Cyclas, scapular, white

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 well-suited to protecting the tunic and other garments beneath the tabard from dirt during work.

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

The tabard may be worn as the simple piece of clothing associated with 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 knight order.