Serving a variety of practical functions during the Middle Ages, coifs were worn by all classes of society. It kept the sun off your head, the sweat or hair out of your eyes, and it also helped retain body heat. Worn mostly by men and boys from the 12th century on, it was a close fitting bonnet that didn’t cover the head entirely. It covered right behind the hair line of the forehead, just enough for a tuff of hair to stick out in the front. It covered down to the nape of the neck, the sides covering the ears, and it tapered down into ties that were secured under the chin. It seems that in earlier times it was constructed of two pieces of material with a central seam running from the front of the head to the nape of the neck. Later they were constructed using three panels of material possibly for a closer fit or perhaps to save on material. Although there have been no surviving examples of coifs found as of yet, I am persuaded to think that they were made of linen or wool. They are usually always being depicted in illumination as being white.
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