Crusader outfit
- Available
- Available
The crusader outfit is one of the most distinctive garments of the Middle Ages – layered, rich in symbolism, and clearly identifiable by its colour and cross insignia depending on the order. In this category, you’ll find over 200 items for re-enactment, medieval fairs and LARP: from a simple tabard to a full suit of armour complete with chainmail, helmet and stage sword.
Clothing and equipment of the Crusaders – a historical overview
A crusader’s attire was not a uniform costume, but a multi-layered system of textile and metal components that varied according to rank, order and era. At the very bottom, the warrior wore a light linen under-tunic, over which came the gambeson – a quilted padded garment that cushioned blows and served as a lining for the chainmail. The actual centrepiece of the armour was the hauberk, a long chainmail shirt made of interwoven steel rings, which protected the upper body, arms and often the thighs as well. Over this, crusaders donned the characteristic surcoat – an outer garment that indicated membership of the order whilst also protecting the armour from direct sunlight.
There was a world of difference between a simple foot soldier and an armoured knight: whilst the common infantryman was often equipped only with a gambeson, a simple helmet and a short sword or spear, a fully armoured knight possessed chainmail, a helmet, a shield and a high-quality one-handed sword. During the Crusades (11th–13th centuries), helmets evolved from the simple nasal helmet with a nose guard, through the spiked helmet, to the closed pot helmet, which completely concealed the face. An important distinction applies to active re-enactment combat: unriveted steel rings are well suited for re-enactment and costume purposes, whilst riveted chainmail can withstand the mechanical stresses of a real battle.
The symbols of the Crusaders: orders, crosses and colours
Knights Templar
Red paw cross on a white cloak – the most famous symbol of the Crusades. White stood for purity, red for battle and martyrdom.
Knights of the Teutonic Order
Black cross on a white mantle. The Teutonic Order was founded during the Third Crusade and was active primarily in Prussia and the Baltic region.
Order of St John
White eight-pointed cross on a black cloak. The Knights of St John originally cared for the sick and pilgrims – nursing and combat were their dual mission.
When purchasing a Crusader costume, the colour scheme is crucial: the colour and shape of the cross determine the order to which the wearer belongs and thus the historical significance of the outfit. A white tabard with a red cross of St. John is unmistakably Templar – a black cross on a white background refers to the Teutonic Order. In addition, the so-called ‘mi-parti’ colour scheme played a role: two-tone garments – one colour on the left, another on the right – were a widespread medieval design principle that indicated rank and affiliation. Accordingly, the range includes many mi-parti variants of breeches and tabards.
What armour did the Crusaders wear? An overview of materials
| Material / Equipment | Suitability | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Wool, linen, cotton | Historically accurate | Temperature regulation, durable, late medieval standard |
| Chainmail, unriveted | Display / Market | Affordable entry-level option, good appearance, not suitable for active combat |
| Chainmail, riveted | Exhibition combat | Withstands mechanical stress, compulsory for tournaments |
| Tabard, embroidered / woven | Re-enactment | More durable than printed designs, closer to the original |
| Sword SK-B | Exhibition combat | Tested flexibility and strength for tournament use |
| Synthetic fibres | Costume / LARP | Cheaper, but not historically accurate |
Anyone wishing to put together an authentic-looking crusader’s outfit should pay close attention to the material. Trousers and cloaks made from 100% wool meet late medieval standards and are more durable than synthetic alternatives. When it comes to tabards, it is worth paying attention to the quality of the stitching and the workmanship of the cross motif – embroidered or woven designs last longer than printed ones. Swords compliant with SK-B stage combat standards differ fundamentally from purely decorative items: rounded blades, defined flexibility and tested strength make them suitable for tournament use.
The complete Crusader set – put it together layer by layer
A medieval shirt made of cotton or linen as an undergarment, paired with wool-blend trousers with drawstrings. These items form the foundation and are available individually or as a set – exclusively made from natural fibres in the Vehi Mercatus own brand.
A gambeson as a padded protective layer beneath the chainmail. Over this, a tabard or surcoat with an embroidered or printed cross – the most visually striking identifying feature of the Crusader’s attire. The range includes models from Battle Merchant, Lord of Battles and House of Warfare.
Chainmail (hauberk) with unriveted steel rings for beginners or riveted for exhibition combat. Accessories: chainmail coif, High Medieval helmet, vambraces, shield, and a one-handed sword with a disc pommel and scabbard compliant with exhibition combat class SK-B for tournament use.
Our range includes items from the brands Battle Merchant (122 items), Vehi Mercatus (32 items), Lord of Battles (28 items) and House of Warfare (16 items). The SK-B exhibition combat class refers to swords that have been tested for regulated tournament use – they must meet defined minimum requirements for blade flexibility, blade width and tip design, and are therefore the minimum standard sword for organised exhibition combat.
Crusader attire for various occasions
- Historically documented natural fibres (wool, linen, cotton)
- Riveted chainmail for exhibition combat
- Embroidered or woven crosses on the tabard
- Choose order colours and cross shapes that are historically accurate
- Helmet appropriate to the period (nasal, spiked or pot helmet)
- SK-B sword for tournament use
- Visual impression is paramount
- Unriveted chainmail is sufficient, lighter and cheaper
- Tabard with printed cross acceptable
- Lighter materials for freedom of movement
- Gambeson as an optional addition, not mandatory
- Decorative sword or LARP weapon depending on event rules
For a knight’s appearance at a medieval market, a well-chosen tabard with a suitable cross emblem and a pair of breeches is sufficient as a solid basic outfit. However, anyone taking part in organised exhibition fights cannot do without riveted chainmail and an SK-B-certified sword. Foam LARP weapons are generally not permitted at re-enactment events – the rules of the respective organiser apply here.
The development of Crusader armour during the Crusades
First Crusade
Simple chainmail (hauberk) with a chainmail coif, nasal helmet with nose guard, Norman shield. The equipment was still comparatively simple and influenced by Norman military traditions.
High point of the Crusades
The spiked helmet and full hauberk became the norm. The tabard emerged as a distinguishing garment – practical against the sun’s rays in the Levant and as a bearer of the order’s insignia. Founding of the Knights Templar (1119) and the Knights Hospitaller (~1099).
Third Crusade
Foundation of the Teutonic Order (1190). The pot helmet becomes the standard and completely conceals the face. The chainmail is supplemented by additional leather or metal arm guards.
Late phase of the Crusades
The first plate elements (arm guards, knee guards, breastplates) complement the chainmail. The combination of chainmail and plate armour defines the image of the late-period crusader. You’ll find suitable items for all these eras in our range.
When choosing from our range, bear in mind: if you wish to portray the era of the First Crusade, opt for a nasal helmet, a simple hauberk and a Norman shield. For the 12th century, High Medieval helmets and tabards are suitable. The late 13th century already allows for the first elements of plate armour to complement the chainmail.
Whether you’re putting together your first crusader outfit for the medieval market or building a complete historically inspired costume for stage combat – in this category you’ll find everything from gambesons to SK-B swords. Explore the range and put together your crusader costume layer by layer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Crusaders wore multi-layered armour: at the bottom a linen tunic, over that a quilted gambeson for padding, then the chainmail (hauberk) and a tabard with the order’s insignia. Protective equipment also included a helmet, shield and a one-handed sword. Foot soldiers were usually equipped much more simply than fully armoured knights.
Typical Crusader armour consisted of a long chainmail tunic (hauberk) over a quilted gambeson, supplemented by a helmet (depending on the period, a nasal helmet, spangenhelm or pot helmet) and a shield. During the 13th century, the first plate elements such as vambraces and breastplates were added. Over the chainmail, crusaders always wore the characteristic tabard bearing the order’s insignia.
The best-known symbol is the red cross pattée on a white background of the Knights Templar. The cross varies depending on the order: the Teutonic Order wore a black cross on a white cloak, the Knights Hospitaller a white eight-pointed cross on a black background. The colour and shape of the cross together clearly indicate the order to which the wearer belongs – this combination is crucial when purchasing a crusader’s outfit.
Unriveted chainmail made from round rings is more affordable and visually appealing – it is well suited for re-enactment, medieval markets and costume play. Riveted chainmail, on the other hand, is significantly more robust and can withstand the physical stresses of a real combat display. Riveted chainmail is generally required for organised tournament combat.
No – Vehi Mercatus is a specialist retailer of physical garments and equipment for medieval markets, LARP, re-enactment, theatre and film. Search queries such as ‘Crusader set Diablo 3’, ‘Crusader outfit WoW’ or ‘Crusader set portal’ refer to video game content, which is not available here. In our shop, you will find only authentic textiles, metal armour and weapons for real-world use.