| Forum: | The Solar |
| Topic: | Surcoats |
|
|
|
*If HTML and/or UBB Code are enabled, this means you can use HTML and/or UBB Code in your message.
I have no idea when heraldry first began to be put on surcoats, but I know that many crusaders(including templars) had their heraldry on the surcoats, which predates the 13th century. Hope that clears it up. I only used the pics in one book as my source, so I may be a bit out, but definitely both the possibilities you came up with are wrong. Erik ErikShelly After looking up several websites that even remotely discuss the surcoat that was worn over a knight's armor, I have concluded that only one of two possibilities can be correct.
Some websites claim that heraldic devices appear on shields first while the surcoat remains plain until, say, the mid 13th century. Other sites have seemed to indicate that both shield and surcoat were emblazoned by heraldic devices from the beginning of heraldry. Who's right?Erik Schmidt I would send you to the armour archive, but it's down at the monent. www.armourarchive.org/
You will notice on the Bayeux Tapestry(11th century) that no surcoats were worn and no heraldry on the shields.
Illustrations from the 12th century show heraldry on the shields but few surcoats.
Therefore, I would say shield heraldry came first, but in the early 12th or late 11th century. Surcoats began being worn in the 12th, but probably no heraldry until late 12th early 13th century.Erik Schmidt The armour archive is back up, so if you want a better answer you may want to ask there.
www.armourarchive.org/ Shelly Thanks, It looks like a good site.
Powered by:
Ultimate Bulletin Board (UltimateBB), Version 5.40
© Infopop Corporation (formerly Madrona Park, Inc.), 1998-1999.
