Cyclas, scapular, white

Product description

During the High and Late Middle Ages, monks from monastic orders wore a tabard over their tunic. A belt fastened it in place. Low classes in society — farmers and foot soldiers alike — wore this humble garment to protect their tunics and clothing underneath from dirt during work.

From the twelfth century onward, knights wore surcoats over their plate armor. Historians trace the white surcoat to the era of the Crusaders, where it reflected heat away from the plate armor. Over time, knights adopted other colors as well. By the thirteenth century, the knight's heraldry appeared on the garment so allies could identify them in battle.

Wear this tabard as the simple garment of monks, farmers, and foot soldiers, or as a surcoat over plate armor. Decorate it with your own heraldry, or customize it with the cross of a knight order.