
Title: 1000 CE Norman Riding Tunic 2 | |
Entry #: GGB2021.028 | |
Alternate Names: tunic, t tunic | |
Year: 1000 | |
Time range: 900-1200 CE | |
Era: Early Medieval | |
Gender: Male | |
region: Western Europe | |
Countries/cultures: England France | |
Maker: Vincent De Vere, Kristine Nic Tallier | |
Difficulty: 2 | |
Confidence: Image example |
Intro:
A version of the basic tunic used in many European cultures from antiquity through to the high middle ages by some. This tunic is split to allow wearer to ride a horse and have freedom of movement.
Description:
One of the many variations of the tunics made out of linen or wool. This example has a keyhole neck opening and featuring a split in front and back bottom to allow the wearer to ride a horse.
This variation was cut T tunic style out of a wide piece of fabric to minimize seams. A more period cut would include seams connecting the sleeve to the body. Trim is an applique of linen. Keyhole neck is held closed with a brooch pin. Tunics are about the easiest garments to construct.
Tunics are often the starting point for new members when just beginning in the SCA. This tunic could be made for less than $20 in 2021.
Inspiration Images

Common Materials
- Fabrics:
- wool
- linen (including non-flax linen)
- Ornamentation:
Effective Substitutions
- Fabrics:
- Wool blends,
- Linen, linen/rayon
- linen/cotton
- some cottons could be used but cotton broad cloth is not advised as it is not a strong material and doesn’t drape well
- Ornamentation:
Ensemble Components
- Under shirt (likely of a similar cut)
- Belt
- Pouch
New members often start with just a tunic and belt.
- pants/trews/braccae
- leg wraps
- turn shoes/boots
Accessories
- under tunic as bottom layer
- belt
- pants
- over tunic or super tunic over the tunic
- shoes
- cloak or coat
Source/Links
http://www.virtue.to/articles/tunic_worksheet.html
http://alianorderavenglas.wordpress.com/as-50-challenge/13th-century-riding-tunic/
Version: 2 | |
date: 3/1/2021 | |
Source of Period Pic: Maciejowski Bible. | |
Model: Vincent De Vere | |
Photographer: Vincent De Vere | |