Coif, Early Medieval, 12th-13th Century

This type of head covering is seen on men and children in the 12th and 13th C. texts. Coif fits close to the skull with ties fastened or left loose. Should be small enough to allow a fashionable fringe of hair to be seen above the forehead and at the base of the neck.

No coifs exist; evidence for construction comes from the Maciejowski Bible, where it appears 2 side pieces are joined by a single, central seam. For the ladies, we find this coif keeps the hair neat and makes a secure foundation under a veil. This is best accomplished by dressing the hair and securing the ties behind the head at the nape of the neck. No visible exterior machine stitching.