Descriptionary

almuce a large, fur-lined cape, often edged with fur tails and having a hood, worn by doctors of divinity and canons.

amice a white linen napkin adjusted about the neck, a vestment of the clergy.

anelace a long dagger worn from the belt by civilians. baguette a lappet of mail.

bainbergs lower leg armor. Also known as bamberges.

balandrana a wide cloak, popularly used in the 13th and 14th centuries when traveling.

balays pink rubies.

baldric a wide, decorative belt, sometimes worn over the shoulder and hung with bells.

barmecloth an apron.

bascinet a domed, pointed helmet of the 14th and 15th centuries.

beaver facial armor.

bliant a garment resembling the surcoat, sometimes fur-lined; worn by both sexes.

bouchette a breastplate fastener.

bourdon a decorative walking staff.

brassards steel arm plates or armor.

brayette a steel petticoat, similar to a baguette.

buskins high boots popularly worn by rural people and travelers.

bycocket a hat turned down in the front and turned up in the back.

camail the mail encircling the bottom of a bascinet and protecting the wearer's neck and upper chest.

capa a hooded robe.

cappa clausa a closed cape having only a small slit in the center to extend the hands out in an attitude of prayer; worn by the clergy.

cappa nigra a black choir cape, sometimes hooded.

capuchon a hood or cowl. Also known as a chaperon.

caputium a combination hood and cape. In the 15 th century the color and lining of the hood denoted academic rank.

casque a helmet.

cassock a very long coat, fur-lined, and having tight sleeves; it fastened down the front and was worn by men.

cendal a material made of woven silk.

chain mail wrought iron rings riveted together and sewn onto a leather foundation for use as protective armor.

chapel de fer an iron hat of war.

chasuble a large, round garment with a center hole, slipped over the head and covering the body in volu­minous folds, a clergyman's vestment.

chausses tight hose worn over the legs.

cingulum a waist belt.

cockers high-laced boots worn by rural men.

coif a close-fitting skullcap held on with a chin strap, worn by men.

coif-de-mailles a protective hat of mail. colobium a plain tunic.

cope a large, full-bodied, decorative cape, frequently hooded and worn by the clergy.

cote an ordinary dress or gownlike garment worn by both sexes.

cote-hardie a tight-fitting tunic worn by men. Also, a long, tight-fitting gown worn by women.

coudieres elbow guards, a form of armor.

cowl see capuchon.

cracowes long-toed boots or shoes.

crespine a woman's headdress of the 14th century, characterized by two jeweled cauls or nets of wires holding hair in on either side of the head.

cuirass breast and back armor.

cuir-bouilli leather that has been boiled to harden it for use as protective armor.

cuissards armor pieces covering the thighs. Also known as cuisses.

dagges ornamental edgings on garments of the 14th century.

dalmatic a vestment similar to but shorter than an alb and having wider sleeves and a slit at the sides.

damask a rich, patterned fabric.

diaper ornamental embroidery.

dorelet a jewel-embroidered hairnet.

doublet a short, padded tunic.

dunster a broadcloth of the 14th century.

enbraude embroidery.

epaulieres armor pieces protecting the shoulders.

ermine the most highly desired fur, worn by kings.

fitchets slits in outer garments used to provide access to inner garments or to purses, keys, and so forth.

fret a decorative hair net.

frontlet a cloth, silk, or velvet band worn on the forehead by 15th-century women.

frounce a flounce.

fustian cotton or wool cloth.

gambeson an early form of gipon.

gardcorp an outdoor garment worn by both sexes.

gauntlet a glove with protective metal plates to pro­tect the hand, worn by knights.

gazzatum a fine silk of the 13 th century.

genuilliers armor pieces protecting the knees.

gipon a close-fitting, waisted, quilted garment worn over a shirt; it evolved from the tunic. Also known as a doublet.

gipser a purse.

girdle a belt, usually decorative. gite a gown.

gorget an armor piece protecting the throat. Also, the lower portion of a hood, covering the neck and upper chest.

greaves armor pieces protecting the shins. Also known as jambs, or jambarts.

grise a gray fur from the Russian squirrel, popular with the upper middle classes.

hatere attire.

hauberk a coat or shirt of mail. helm a helmet.

heuke a cloak worn by men or women. hure a cap. jambarts see greaves.