Tabard

By Crusader1307

A Tabard was a style of clothing popular in The Middle Ages. This was a short coat-like apparel. It could be with or without sleeves. Often, a Tabard was made with open side panels and required no belt or strap. Variations of The Tabards were worn by most facets of Medieval Society. The Peasant version was plain (or coarse). The Noble version (or their Retainers), was made of fine cloth or silk. The Tabard was also used as an “”official” uniform of sorts. When worn in this fashion, often a Lord would have his Coat of Arms, Crest or Cypher attached to the front (to identify their position working for a Lord). A military version of The Tabard was also made for Foot Soldiers and Archers. Often padded (or quilted, they were similar in composition to The Gambeson. The religious Scapular (which is an Apron-like garment worn by some Monastic Orders), was possibly based on The Tabard. It is much longer in length. By the time of King James II (England) – Tabards were discontinued in Court use.