coat armors

Textile garments worn over metal armor or on their own, from the mid-12th century to the first quarter of the 15th century. Their form varied greatly within this period, being variously long and loose-fitting, short and close-fitting, with or without sleeves, padded or quilted, or furnished on the inside with metal plates. Typically they were embellished with heraldic devices and other ornaments to distinguish the wearer. For short, sleeveless or short-sleeved garments consisting of front and back panels and open at the sides, worn by civilians and others, sometimes to display heraldic devices, see "tabards."