Surcoat

A surcoat or surcote was a special outer garment worn by soldiers during the Middle Ages. It went over heavy armor to show special signs and symbols. These signs helped people see which side the soldier was on.

The word "surcoat" comes from the French language and means "over the coat." It was usually a long, loose piece of clothing without sleeves, and it often reached down to the feet. This garment helped soldiers stay cooler and showed their team clearly.

History

Men's surcoat

In the late 1200s, knights wore long, flowing outer clothes called surcoats over their armor. These clothes showed the knight's family symbols, helping others know who they were. The surcoat reached halfway down the leg and had openings so the knight could ride easily. Some believe knights wore white surcoats during the Crusades to stay cool in the hot sun. The surcoat also kept rain and dirt off the armor. It showed the knight's symbol, which helped recognize soldiers on the battlefield. Later, in the 1300s, the front of the surcoat was made shorter so knights could move more freely. By the mid-1300s, surcoats were replaced by a shorter garment called a jupon.

By the 1400s, as stronger plate armor became common, surcoats were no longer worn. This time period, from 1420 to 1485, is called the "surcoatless period."

Women's surcoat

Women started wearing surcoats in the 1300s, with or without sleeves. A popular style in the 1400s was the sideless surcoat, which was sleeveless and reached the floor, with wide armholes that sometimes showed the dress underneath. This style was worn for special occasions well into the 1500s.