Hi. I'm looking for some evidence of simple free-standing canopies used in medieval times. 13th century is preferred, but any century will do for now. My reenactment group has been looking for a tent, but at the moment they are just far too expensive for us. So we are looking into creating a simple screen of some sorts against the sun and occasional drop of rain. Something simple and cheap (compared to the cost of a pavilion tent).

My search is being hampered because I don't know exactly what it's called in English. In Dutch we call it a "luifel". Is it called a canopy? Awning? A tarp? Something else? The attached image shows a modern one. There are also similar screens that are just rectangles suspended on a few poles and ropes without folds in them.

Can anyone help? Thanks in advance!


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luifel.jpg


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tarp.jpg