2007-03-13 06:20:19 · 8 answers · asked by Chichiri 1 in Arts & Humanities ➔ History
no more than the tons of armor.
The cape might let them hide their weapons or shields.
2007-03-13 06:23:51 · answer #1 · answered by Monc 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Capes and cloaks were rarely, if ever, worn into battle. Many paintings of knights are stylized to make the knight look glamorous to modern eyes. Capes and cloaks were worn most of the time though, along with the already mentioned surcoats, to help keep the knights warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. The problem with wearing metal armor is that it quickly warms and cools dependent on the weather and can quickly send the body into hypothermia or hyperthermia. The surcoat grew longer and wider during the Crusades where a day in the desert sun could heat a knight's armor to the point that it would burn exposed skin beneath.
2007-03-13 13:53:13 · answer #2 · answered by Crusader1189 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yeah, probably.
Are you referring to paintings? I am just guessing, but I think the cape "thing" may just be artistic vision. A flowing cape in battle is more dramatic.
I am thinking if knights really wore capes, the capes would get tangled in all kinds of weaponry. Not a good thing.
2007-03-13 13:25:05 · answer #3 · answered by Lizzie 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They didn't wear their capes into battle, historically speaking. The capes were the equivalent of a "dress uniform" worn mainly for formal occasions but not for fighting.
2007-03-13 13:28:13 · answer #4 · answered by Barbara K 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
They often wore a cape like garment called a surcoat over their armour. It served the purpose of identifying them in battle because it portrayed their coat of arms and it also to some extent prevented mud from clogging up their armour during battle.
2007-03-13 13:47:26 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
The cape was part pageantry and part practical. It could be decorated to show the nobles house etc. plus it functioned as a cloak to help keep warm.
2007-03-13 13:25:34 · answer #6 · answered by rohak1212 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It depicts their status among others. It was their color and let people know where they were from as well, and not really a burden it battle, as it was pulled back and seldom got in the way.
2007-03-20 17:07:35 · answer #7 · answered by hazel a 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This prior to Kleenex.
2007-03-21 02:12:17 · answer #8 · answered by LELAND 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋