What was the purpose of a coif?

What was the purpose of a coif?

It appeared at the end of the 12th century as an additional head protection worn under the hood by men, and it persisted into the 16th century as ecclesiastic or legal headgear, sometimes worn alone, sometimes as an undercap.

What is a coif in medieval times?

A coif is a close-fitting cap that covers the top, back and sides of the head. It was worn by both men and women during the medieval period and later in Northern Europe. The word coif derives from the Old French word coife (modern coiffe) meaning a headdress.

What is a coif in armour?

The Mail Coif is a type of armour made of flexible chain mail and worn over the head. It usually extended to cover also the throat, the neck, and the top of the shoulders. Mail coifs were popular with fighting men during medieval times.

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.

How do you wear a coif?

Once your hair is in a bun, tie on the forehead cloth if you are going to wear it, and adjust it so that it sits comfortably on your head with no wrinkles. Put the coif on so that all remaining exposed hair is covered, then tighten the drawstrings so that the base of the coif is snugly gathered at the nape of the neck.

Where is a coif worn?

Until the end of the 17th century the coif was informal headwear for women. Plain linen versions were worn by the working-class. Middle-class and aristocratic women wore elaborately decorated coifs. It would have been worn by itself indoors, or with a hat on top in public.

What is Order of the Coif in law school?

The Order of the Coif is an honorary scholastic society the purpose of which is to encourage excellence in legal education by fostering a spirit of careful study, recognizing those who as law students attained a high grade of scholarship, and honoring those who as lawyers, judges and teachers attained high distinction …

What do you wear under a chainmail coif?

The Gambeson is worn underneath chain mail and armour and normally both helps to protect the body from the impact of weapons and provides some degree of comfort to the wearer. The Gambeson set includes a matching Arming Cap, essential to the wearing of a chain mail coif.

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.

Who Gets Order of the Coif?

What is the history of the Coif?

History. Coifs date from the 10th century, but fell out of popularity with men in the 14th century. Coifs were worn by all classes in England and Scotland from the Middle Ages to the early seventeenth century (and later as an old-fashioned cap for countrywomen and young children). Tudor…

Did women wear coifs in the Middle Ages?

Many early medieval illuminations show women wearing white coifs, or some variant, to hold their hair in place. Shown at right is a detail from the musical manuscript, the Cantiga St Maria from the 12th century where the woman musician wears a coif similar to the male one of the time.

When did men stop wearing coifs?

Coifs date from the 10th century, but fell out of popularity with men in the 14th century. Coifs were worn by all classes in England and Scotland from the Middle Ages to the early seventeenth century (and later as an old-fashioned cap for countrywomen and young children).

What is a coif cap?

A coif /ˈkɔɪf/ is a close fitting cap worn by both men and women that covers the top, back, and sides of the head.