Surcoat over harness history

A video discussing the origin and purpose of waring a surcoat over armour (harness) in the Middle Ages. It also provides a brief overview of the development of armour from 11th to 14th century.

[@NemFX]

This makes perfect sense. Most metal armours are resistant to slashing and bludgeoning damage. Surcoats and gambesons are resistant to piercing damage, which is chainmails biggest weakness.

[@MrWeAllAreOne]

Wearing material over the armour may also stop the metal from getting too hot in the Sun.

[@1IGG]

Yeah, my first thought. Like in Egypt people there put fabric over their car's dashboard because it gets too hot.

[@andrewkelly6828]

Was about to post this myself. I recall reading one source that that's why it was picked up after the first Crusade. Much hotter over there.

[@proofostrich9061]

I assume it would also help insulate the armor in the very rare cases when battles were fought during winter.

[@jeremiahr7585]

This is controversial

[@gorbalsboy]

If wearing mail it might actually trap air thereby making the wearer hotter due to mail being similar to a string vest😮

[@BigBrainTime7070]

I love your videos, very educational and interesting. Also, you’re a badass.

[@javierbenabalgarcia1793]

Respect from Spain to Ola Onsrud, I have learned so much thanks to your videos!

[@johnantonellichiotelli7554]

I love your videos! Hope you make more! By the way, your chain maille armor, is the best fitted I have seen.

[@yuto1094]

Dang you spelled maille right!!! Finally someone actually good!!!

[@user-bm7bj6kq9e]

I wish you'd make more. I think your 14th century kit is my favorite of the ones I've seen from that period. Well done!

[@elderbrother5891]

Your shot form of video - is the best to undestand your tesis. Thanks!

[@mtrunkello]

So glad i found your channel. I like your sense of humor :D I dont know if this could be a factor but in medieval hungary around the 13-14th century the royal power weakened enough from the continous distribution of royal domain to their followers so that local feudeal lords and regional magnates could challange the king even though their house was only 2nd or 3rd generation old. Maybe displaying their coat of arms on the surcot was to give legitimacy to their newly found house.

[@Dashtime-pq9du]

it was entertaining and easy to understand, nice video!

[@darkmattergamesofficial]

Wonderful as always. This is high quality stuff!

[@highwindsclarke2685]

These are really good videos. My favourite one is the one where he dresses up in the late 14th century armour because of the beautiful music that accompanies it.

[@Baetroeiheazopf]

0:05 Bravo ! Deadly accurate, and incomparably noble hit you did.

[@dustinvognild8128]

Very informative and well researched! Don't stop making excellent content like this

[@Enigma_V]

That ‘fleur de lis’ surcoat is majestic⚜️

[@Aregon972]

I really like the way you present information!

[@chrisbritt4266]

Good and informative video and I can't wait to see the next one

[@AndrewTheMandrew531]

Very nice video! I always love to hear history of armor!

[@nowthenzen]

there are several vids on YT that talk about 'arrow shrapnel' wood splinters from shattered arrows. Surcoat may have been a response to that, anti splinter protection. The timing lines up with more powerful longbows being used. anyone in plate harness don't care about stabs from swords or anything.

[@appleseedfanatic]

Good to see your videos again.

[@TheEpiccow400]

loved this video, excellent editing

[@leoprzytuac3660]

It's always nice to have some additions to make to your BODDEH protection. I'm just kidding, I absolutely love your videos, man! Keep it up!

[@khamidabdul7244]

Nice video as always!

[@charlesdeleo4608]

Nice! I also have a theory that the crusaders wore surcoats to protect themselves from overheating. And there are occasions in Medieval chronicles where it was recorded that people did actually suffocate in their own armor, or just dropped dead of heat exhaustion on a hot day.

[@hohvt3834]

Can't wait next video 😁

[@chickennuggetgodess2890]

i went to the jousting today loved it!

[@Bluzoqt]

Another great video!

[@mina7572]

Very nice, thank you for making this.

[@d.v.p.3871]

Absolutely great! Thank you!!!

[@robertlukacs4954]

At 1:36 you show the Westminster Psalter, and state that it’s from the late 12th century. However, it’s actually from the mid 13th century (1250) so I just thought I’d point that out.

[@michaelwoffindin]

Short and to the point, very good. Your English is getting better too.

[@bmo5082]

Great video. Thank you for speaking English as well

[@BellumCinematicsTotalWar]

Duke of Brabant was prolly like - Ah, I forgot my surcoat at the tent! Well, I'm late, I don't think it will be as important anyway... *gets fvcking decapitated*

[@joakimberg7897]

Very Informative, thank you. Skål!

[@josephstalin1623]

Very good work Keep it

[@ivan_drobotov]

Thank you!

[@knightforlorn6731]

wow that is awesome!

[@ViktorBorgGrelsson]

very interesting

[@Esper320]

These are so damn good

[@jabenkleefman9867]

i like this guy

[@jabenkleefman5370]

Great video Maybe in the future you can make a video about the cloth on your horse (is it Horse armor?)

[@funkycowsx2]

Cool.

[@wyattw9727]

One thing I would point out is that there is a chance the surcoat was actually picked up by the Crusaders from the Romans, or perhaps during the Italo Norman conflicts with the Romans a little earlier (although the Romans themselves picked up such padded armor from Arabs/Persians so the connection of Europe to there remains the same). Epilorika was one of the main terms for it, and it probably consisted of silk/cotton padding over maille in some manner (or standalone), albeit it looked very odd compared to normal surcoats, incorporating both a hood and sleeves.

[@NEY-uu3lx]

nice

[@kentallard8852]

importing enough silk to England to make a gambeson in the 14th century would have cost a pretty penny

[@leoriggebo595]

Great video! What kind of fabric did you use for the caparison?

[@olaonsrud]

Slik with linen lining

[@Fabianwew]

Er det Gjøvik dere holder til på?

[@Devo1987]

What do you know about the potter family ?

[@danneznamy7874]

Love your accent ❤️😊😅

[@bradgubbins6159]

ive been looking for a black prince sircoat not the actual real thing just one for reenactments ect

[@bradgubbins6159]

as in the royal coat of arms or royal england one because i love the battle of agincourt so i kinda wanna have something that was used at the time but i cannot find one anywhere

[@HB04018]

my lord....

[@PROVOCATEURSK]

Our arrows will blot out the sun! Then we will fight in surcoats!

[@elgostine]

sorry.. the hirdskraa ... is still technically in force? i love old laws that, if enforced simultaneously would be.. so amusing..

[@blowupbackcover62]

This Guy looks like he fought in agincourt

[@BrodyEdwards-el1ps]

To be honest, the armour is very similar to the ones worn in agincourt