Surcoat facts for kids

Example of a surcoat worn over armour

A surcoat was a type of outer clothing worn by men in the Middle Ages. About 100 years later, women also started wearing them. A surcoat could be a coat worn over other clothes, or it could be worn over armour. The word "surcoat" comes from French and means "over the cotta," which was a long, wide coat without sleeves.

What is a Surcoat?

From about the 12th century, knights wore long, loose surcoats over their armour. These often showed the knight's coat of arms, which was like a special symbol for their family. A knight's surcoat usually reached almost to their ankles. It had cuts at the bottom, both front and back, so the knight could sit easily, especially when riding a horse. Surcoats also did not have sleeves.

Why Did Knights Wear Them?

Knights wore surcoats for a few important reasons:

• Protection from weather: One main reason was to protect their metal armour from rain. This helped stop the armour from rusting.
• Keeping cool: During the Crusades, which were long journeys to faraway lands, surcoats helped keep the armour cooler in the hot sun. The fabric would absorb some of the heat, making it more comfortable for the knight inside the armour.
• Showing identity: The surcoat was also a great way to show off the knight's coat of arms. This helped people know who the knight was, even in battle.

How Did Surcoats Change?

By the middle of the 14th century, the long surcoat started to change. It was replaced by a much shorter garment called a "Jupon" or "Gipon." This new piece of clothing was often padded, which meant it had extra material inside to give more protection. Once knights started using full suits of plate armour (solid metal armour), the surcoat was no longer needed as much and became less common.

Related pages

• Tabard

Images for kids

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  Saint Stephen, King of Hungary wearing a jupon with his family's white and red stripes. From the Hungarian Illuminated Chronicle.

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  A sideless surcoat with wide armholes, from the late 14th century.

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  A fancy surcoat with fur, worn for special events, 1489-1499.

See also

In Spanish: Sobreveste para niños