What is a surcoat?
Q: What is a surcoat?
A: A surcoat is an outer garment that was commonly worn in the Middle Ages by men and later by women.
Q: What does the name "surcoat" mean?
A: The name "surcoat" comes from the French meaning "over the cotta", a long, wide coat reaching down to the feet without sleeves.
Q: Who wore surcoats in the Middle Ages?
A: Knights wore long and flowing surcoats over their armour in the Middle Ages.
Q: What was the purpose of a surcoat for knights?
A: One purpose for the surcoat was to protect armour from the rain, and another use was during the Crusades to keep the armour cooler in the sun.
Q: How long was a knight's surcoat?
A: A knight's surcoat reached almost to the ankles.
Q: Did surcoats have sleeves?
A: No, surcoats did not have sleeves.
Q: When was the surcoat replaced with the "Jupon"?
A: By the middle of the 14th century, the long surcoat was replaced with the "Jupon" (or "Gipon"), a much shorter garment that was often padded for extra protection. Once suits of plate (solid) armour became common, the surcoat was no longer used.
