Product description
This hooded cloak refers to the world of the Templars, formally the Order of the Poor Knights of Christ and of the Temple of Solomon. That spiritual knightly order was founded in 1096, at the end of the First Crusade, to guarantee pilgrims a safe journey to Jerusalem. The members of the order were among the best-trained soldiers of the Crusades, while the non-fighting brothers built an extensive banking system across Europe and had strong fortresses constructed.
Not all members of the Order wore the same colours. The Latin Rule of the Templars stipulated that the sergeants, the serving brothers, wore black or brown clothing, while the knights wore the well-known white cloak. These sergeants – often drawn from the common people or the lower nobility – formed the backbone of Templar power as squires, craftsmen and light cavalry. The colour distinction between white and dark reflected the hierarchy and the different vows within the Order. This black version therefore matches the equipment of a sergeant.
The cloak is made of sturdy cotton canvas dyed black with natural dyes. It has a generous hood and is closed with the included fastening cords. It is a one-size model that fits most wearers and falls softly over your other clothing. Hand wash the cloak at no more than 30 °C, so that the natural dye colour stays beautiful.
Such a cloak comes into its own at historical re-enactment and living history events around the Crusades, and is just as at home on the LARP field. Worn over your tunic or armour, it completes your appearance.
