Description of the Product The Order of the knights Hospitaller is one of the best known medieval knight orders. The Order of the knights Hospitaller was founded to provide care for poor, sick or injured pilgrims to the Holy Land. After the Western Christian conquest of Jerusalem in 1099 during the First Crusade the order began receiving large donations from Europe and nobles joined the ranks. Soon it became a religious/military order under its own charter, and was charged with the care and defence of the Holy Land. Together with the Knights Templar the Hospitallers were the force to be reckoned with in the Holy Lands. As the most heavily armed and best equipped soldiers, this cavalry was dreaded wherever it went. Strict discipline, long training and religious fundamentalism were a guarantee for success in the battlefields. The Hospitallers used swords, shields, crossbows, spears and when mounted on horseback also pikes. The surcoat or tabard was worn by knights over their plate or chain mail armour. It was primarily designed to protect its wearer from direct sunlight on the battlefield, and the various color combinations were a decisive means of distinguishing brothers-in-arms from enemies in the fray. Calf-length sleeveless child's tabard is made from sturdy cotton fabric. It is straight cut and has side slits from the waist down. It also features a somewhat shorter slit on the centre front and back. Undershirt or belt seen in pictures are not included. Available in sizes 110 cm, 128 cm, 146 cm and 164 cm. Material: 100 % cotton Manufacturer Battle Merchant
