Fashion and clothing during the Medieval Age was dictated by a person’s status and role in society. Each person wore clothes according to his/her function and how rich or poor he/she was. Peasants wore very simple and plain clothes while the clothing of the nobility was elaborate, colorful and made of very expensive materials. The same was true for a knight during Medieval times. He was expected to wear an ensemble of clothing that befitted his role in society.
Therefore, a well-dressed knight wore, in general, a sleeveless surcoat designed with his family crest or coat of arms. He also wore chain-mail which was made of a rough mesh of tiny and fine chains woven together to make a material that was cloth-like. Chain-mail was a knight’s basic protective armor. However, this was both very heavy and very expensive. It took several years to create and still could not provide protection against rocks, clubs or maces. Subsequently, other armor and clothing was styled for knights in the 13th century. Armor plating was added to protect the delicate parts of the knight’s body, and helmets were also improved for more protection for the entire head.
What did knights wear underneath their armor and chain-mail? A knight donned a plain linen shirt, undergarments called bruchen, hose or stockings, and a jacket called the gambaison that was thick enough to protect the knight from rubbing his skin against his armor . This ensemble plus the chain-mail and armor were all worn under a loose jacket which carried the design of his coat of arms or family crest. Afterwards, in the late 14th to early 15th century, the complete suit of armor was created. This was more uncomfortable to wear with the other clothes that they had to wear underneath and over it. However, it also restrained the body from moving freely but did offer more protection and durability.
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