Surcoat

Sleeveless overgarment worn over armor

The surcoat was a loose, typically sleeveless garment worn over armor, originating during the Crusades to shield metal armor from the Middle Eastern sun. It quickly evolved into the primary means of displaying a knight's heraldic arms on the battlefield, making it central to the development of European heraldry and knightly identity. Made of linen, wool, or silk with the wearer's coat of arms embroidered on the front and back, it was most widespread in the 13th-14th centuries before being replaced by jupons and tabards.