Why did medieval people wear coifs?

Worn by women, men, and children throughout the Middle Ages (c. 500–c. 1500), the coif was a simple fabric cap that covered all or most of the hair and tied under the chin. Married women wore coifs alone or under veils to cover their heads for modesty.

What was worn under a mail coif?

Under the coif one can wear a Cervelière that was a very tight fitting steel skull cap. These where sometimes worn over the coif also and evolved into the Bascinet first worn under the Great Barrel Helm and with a visor worn instead of the Great Barrel helm.

What is the purpose of a coif?

It was worn to bed to keep the hair in place, in the kitchen to keep the smoke out, and especially out in public under all the fashionable hats, hoods, and veils! The coif was considered an undergarment of sorts. Uncovered hair was naked, and the coif acted like a chemise for the head.

What were Coifs made of?

Coifs for everyday wear were made of linen, the only difference between those worn by the upper and lower classes was the material from which they were made. As hair covers worn in conjunction with other headdresses, materials might also include silk or finer linens.

Who wore a coif?

Coifs were worn by all classes in England and Scotland from the Middle Ages to the early 17th century (and later as an old-fashioned cap for countrywomen and young children). Tudor (later Stewart in Scotland) and earlier coifs are usually made of unadorned white linen and tied under the chin.

What is a chainmail hood called?

A mail coif was a flexible hood of chain mail that extended to cover the throat, neck and the top part of the shoulders. They were popular with European fighting men of the Middle Ages.

When was the mail coif invented?

The coif dates from the 10th century, and is a close fitting cap that covers the top, back, and sides of the head. It was usually made from white linen and tied under the chin. They were everyday wear for lower-class men and women from the 12th to 15th centuries. Mail originated with the Celts in the 5th century BC.