Every Venetian bakery sells the same cookie today: a man on a horse, sword raised.
A cold night at the gate
A young Roman soldier named Martin met a freezing beggar. He had no money, only his cloak. He cut it in two with his sword and gave half away.
Not the whole coat. Half.
November 11 is his feast day. In Italy that means new wine, roasted chestnuts and children banging pots for sweets in Venice.
The little cloak
Tradition says kings kept the half he kept. Its shrine was the cappella, the 'little cloak.' Hence chapel, chaplain, and the Italian cappotto.
Half a coat is enough
A long knit that closes like a cloak, tied instead of buttoned. Warm on the walk, light indoors, and the piece your friends ask to borrow.
Give half, keep half
Both halves turned out to be enough. Still a good way to dress.