Plague Doctor Hood

In addition to a long-beaked mask, the plague doctor’s traditional costume is often worn with a wide-brimmed physician’s hat and mantle. An alternative to the hat is a classic hood, a garment widely worn in medieval Europe, including the middle of the 14^th century when the Black Death devastated the population, killing an estimated 25 million people. The hood covers the entire head and shoulders, protecting against inclement weather.

Referencing contemporary images of hoods in paintings and engravings, Tom designed his leather plague doctor hood in 2013 to be worn with any of his plague doctor masks. It is constructed of a heavy garment cowhide, soft to the touch and comfortable to wear.