the.com/tabard
the medieval billboard you wore, broadcasting whose side you'd die for.
means A tabard is a short, sleeveless or short-sleeved outer garment, historically worn over armor and often emblazoned with a coat of arms to identify a knight or herald.
from From Old French 'tabart,' a coarse outer cloak or smock — its deeper roots are obscure, but it traveled into English in the medieval period and originally meant a humble laborer's overgarment before climbing the social ladder onto knights and heralds, where the heraldic version made it the walking signboard of allegiance.
- origin
- Worn by heralds and knights over armor
- function
- Displayed coats of arms in battle chaos
- oxford remnant
- Bedels still wear them in ceremonies
- etymology
- From Old French tabart, a coarse cloak
- survival
- Now mostly butchers, choristers, and hi-vis vests
for instance
scapular of medieval monks — sleeveless garment worn over habit in monasteries from 6th century onward