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.
kennel a form of hood forming a gable or pyramid shape over the forehead, popular with women in the 15th century. Also known as a gable or pedimental headdress.
kersche a kerchief.
kirtle a long, loose gown with flowing draperies and trains. Also, a waistcoat.
latchet a shoe or clog fastener.
lettice a pale, gray fur.
liripipe a short or long hanging tail extending from the point of some hoods and hats, sometimes twisting around the head like a turban.
mahootres padded shoulders, popular in the late 15th century.
mantle a loose, sleeveless coat.
mentonieres armor pieces protecting the throat and chin.
misericord a dagger worn by knights on the right hip.
miter a pointed or horned cap worn by bishops and cardinals during services.
nifles a 15th-century veil.
nouch a jeweled clasp.
pauldrons shoulder guards.
pelicon a long, loose outer garment.
petticoat a small coat worn under a larger one in the late 15th century.
pilch a coat make of skins of fur.
pilion a round hat of the 14th and 15 th centuries.
plate steel armor pieces that eventually replaced chain mail.
points laces or ties with metal tips, used most frequently for attaching hose.
ponge a purse.
poulaines long-pointed shoes.
ray striped cloth.
rerebrace an armor piece protecting the upper arm. roskyn squirrel fur.
sabbatons very broad, square-toed shoes. Also known as duck-billed shoes.
sable highly prized (but less so than ermine) fur worn by princes.
samite a rich silk interwoven with gold thread.
slops in the 14th century, a jacket. In the 15th century, a shoe or cassock. In the 16th century, wide breeches.
standard of mail a collar of mail for protecting the neck.
sequanie a loose outer frock, worn by rural women.
surcoat a tunic worn over armor.
taces a skirt of protective plate, extending from the waist to the thighs.
tilting helm a large helmet.
tippet a long hanging end of cloth or cape.
tunic a long or short, sleeved or sleeveless garment, sometimes having slits at the front or sides; eventually replaced by the gipon.
vair black and white squirrel skins arranged in decorative patterns.
vambraces armor pieces protecting the lower arms.
visor a slitted face shield that pivoted on a knight's helmet.
volupere a nightcap of the 14th century.
wimple a veil worn over the neck and chin in the 13th century.
CLOTHING of THE 16TH
century
apron an apron made of wool or linen, worn with a bib by working-class or rural women and without a bib by higher classes.
band a linen collar.
bases a knee-length skirt worn by men over their armor.
beaver a hat. Also, the fur used to make this hat.
biggin a close-fitting cap worn by infants and children.
billiment a decorative and frequently jeweled border on a French hood.
blackwork black embroidery on white linen. bodyes a bodice.
bonnet a soft hat worn by both men and women.
boothose stockings with decorative tops turned down over boots.
breastplate an armor piece protecting the chest.
breeches pants extending from the waist to the knees and worn with stockings.
carcenet a heavy, bejeweled necklace made of gold and worn like a collar.
caul a decorative hairnet made of gold thread or silk.
chemise a woman's smock or undergarment.
chin-clout a type of light scarf worn over the chin and mouth of rural women.
chopines clogs; shoes with raised platforms made of wood or cork.
cod-piece a projecting pouch or appendage allowing room for the groin area in men's tight-fitting breeches or hose.