"Sun protection" Topic

Is there any indication that in the Mediterranean countries or Middle east, 'Western' soldiery wore headgear to protect them from the sun on the line of march?

Soldiers always do whatever they can to be more comfortable. I know I'd sling my helmet and wear something cooler. Copy the locals, they know.

x2 for Extra Crispy.

At least in the later Middle Ages, it was typical also for the "Western" civilians to wear some kind of hat when outdoors. Soldiers would have behaved similarly when not wearing helmet and armour.

Travelling to hotter climates, they would probably maintain the practice, though possibly also adopting headgear in local fashions if it would prove more practical.

Well, indeed, as one might suppose.

I was wondering if there were contemporary illustrations or textual references.

The best I have seen is one illustration in the mid-C20th Bruhn & Tilke 'Pictorial History of Costume,' apparently based on a C15th Italian fresco, showing a man-at-arms in plate armour but wearing a smart wide-brimmed hat, turned up like a rodeo rider's stetson.

Hence a viable reason for the rise of Turcopoles.