Noble Surcoat with Heraldic Appliques

High Gothic Noble Mi-Parti Surcoat Set with Heraldic Appliques

Historical Heritage and the 14th Century Context

From a historical perspective, this magnificent costume draws its inspiration from the late 14th century (circa 1350–1400), placing it firmly in the High Gothic era. During this time, a fashion style known as mi-parti (French for "divided in half") became immensely popular across European royal courts. Garments were constructed using two or more contrasting colours of fabric. This was not merely a fashion statement; it was a clear declaration of house affiliation, political loyalty, or the heraldic colours of a particular lord or monarch.

The appliques on the chest – a yellow lion on a black field and a black eagle on a yellow field – represent some of the oldest and most respected heraldic charges in Europe. They symbolise strength, courage, and noble lineage. Similar garments were worn by nobles, courtiers, and heralds at grand banquets, jousting tournaments, and important diplomatic gatherings. The hood features a traditional extended tail (liripipe), which measures approximately 60 cm (24 inches) in length, adding to the dramatic medieval silhouette. Today, this costume is perfect for reenactment, historical parades, theatrical performances, or portraying a high-ranking noble in a fantasy LARP.

Materials and Garment Care

The entire set is made from a combination of high-quality natural materials. The surcoat and hood (gugel) are sewn from genuine cotton velvet (100% cotton), giving the garments the heavy, luxurious drape that was typical of historical nobility. The under-shirt is made from a blended fabric containing 70% linen and 30% cotton. We deliberately chose this material mix – linen naturally wicks away sweat and is highly breathable, while the addition of cotton ensures the fabric is less prone to creasing and feels softer against bare skin.

To ensure your costume lasts a long time and looks as good as new, proper care is essential. Never wash the costume in a washing machine or use a tumble dryer; the mechanical rotation and high temperatures could irreversibly damage the velvet and ruin the heraldic appliques. We strongly recommend taking the garments to a professional dry cleaner. If you need to remove a minor spot, carefully dab it with a damp cloth or hand-wash very gently in lukewarm water. The linen shirt can be carefully ironed on a medium heat setting, but the velvet parts should only be steamed from the reverse side using a vertical garment steamer to prevent crushing the velvet pile.

Important Note: The leather poulaines (pointed shoes) and black hose (tights) seen in the photographs are not included in the delivery. We highly recommend pairing this outfit with a high-quality leather knight's belt with a brass buckle and a pair of medieval leather poulaines, both perfectly matching the fashion of the late 14th century.

Sizes, Custom Tailoring, and Colour Options

We offer this costume in common standard sizes. However, if you want a truly perfect fit, we will tailor it exactly to your measurements at no extra charge. In that case, simply fill out our costume measurement chart after completing your order. Furthermore, we offer the option to customise the colour scheme. If the black and yellow combination doesn't quite fit your character, you can choose other colours from our fabric charts for custom tailoring. Just note the chart number, letter, and colour name in the order comments (e.g., 03-A-Yellow). Customising colours using fabrics with a different composition may result in a price change. Rest assured, we will consult any potential price changes with you before we begin processing your order.

Technical Specifications and Parameters