Fascinating Medieval Helmets

Mounted knights frequently wore the close helm.This close helm had two separate swiveling parts: an upper visor for eyes and a lower "bevor" for the face.Cavalry used this helm.This design stayed in use until the 17th century.

The frog-mouth helm appeared in the 14th century. Jousters used it, not on the battlefield. The eye slit let the rider look out while galloping toward an opponent. Before impact, the rider could straighten up and shield his eyes from lance splinters.The rider could lean forward and look out of the eye slit while galloping toward an opponent.Just before impact, the rider could straighten his back and protect his eyes from stray lance splinters.

The Anglo-Saxon period spans from the end of Roman rule in Britain to the Norman Conquest in 1066. Migrations from Germanic and Norse peoples affected the British Isles. Only a few helmets from this time survive, including the Sutton Hoo helmet.Sutton Hoo helmet.This helmet's shape comes from Roman cavalry helmets, adding a finely decorated face mask.

The kabuto represents some of the most recognizable parts of feudal Japanese armor.The kabuto was used by warriors for centuries. They used riveted plates; silk braids or leather straps held the neck guard plates together. These items often showed rich decorations and strong crests, serving as status symbols and protection.Kabuto served as both status symbols and protective gear. Warriors used them for centuries. They used riveted plates; silk braids or leather straps held the neck guard plates together. Often featuring elaborate decorations and imposing crests, kabuto were status symbols as well as protective gear.

The barbute was an Italian helmet that looked like ancient Greek designs.The barbute was used almost only in Italy. Its use reached its peak in the late 15th century, the end of the medieval period.The barbute was used almost exclusively in Italy; its usage peaked in the late 15th century, at the tail end of the medieval period.Infantry mostly used the barbute.The barbute had a shape that looked like the Corinthian helmet.It resembled the Corinthian helmet used in ancient Greece.The Corinthian helmet was used in ancient Greece.

The visored bascinet became common across Europe in the 14th century.The visored bascinet featured two parts: a main helmet covering the skull and head sides, and a swiveling visor to shield the face. Perforations helped breathing, and the pointed front aimed to deflect blows.The visored bascinet was common throughout the 14th century. It featured two parts: a main helmet covering the skull and head sides, and a swiveling visor to protect the face. Perforations aided breathing, and the pointed front was meant to deflect blows.The pointed front deflected blows away from the vulnerable eyeslits.The pointed front deflected blows away from the vulnerable eyeslits.

Enclosed helms offered total protection and were the state of the art for knights around 1200.Enclosed helms showed the move toward full head protection as the medieval era advanced. These helms often had holes in the lower half to help the wearer breathe better. However, these helms felt stuffy and trapped carbon dioxide, causing fatigue.

The great helm shared features with the enclosed helmet. It had padding inside to help keep it in place, but this did not always work. In one case, knight William Marshal found his helmet turned completely around during a joust and had to remove it to see.Knight William Marshal found his great helm turned completely around during a joust and had to take it off to see anything.Great helms were made of several large plates riveted together.The great helm consisted of several large plates riveted together.The great helm was made of several large plates riveted together.

Turban helmets first appeared in the 14th century and were used by Iranian heavy cavalry. These helmets copied the folds of cloth in a real turban. Inscriptions could be Quranic quotes, advice for virtuous living, or praise for rulers.Turban helmets first appeared in the 14th century and were used by Iranian heavy cavalry. They were designed to mimic the folds of cloth in a real turban. The inscriptions could be quotations from the Quran, advice on how to live a virtuous life, or praise of contemporary rulers.

The nasal helmet, which combines a nose guard with a skullcap, started appearing in the ninth century.The nasal helmet, which combines a nose guard with a skullcap, saw use starting in the ninth century.The nasal helmet, essentially a conical skullcap with a hanging nose guard, began use in the ninth century. Nasal helmets featured prominently.Nasal helmets, which combined a nose guard with a skullcap, appeared prominently during the Norman Conquest.The Bayeux Tapestry shows nasal helmets, which combined a nose guard with a skullcap, used during the Norman Conquest.

The Spangenhelm was used by Vikings and Byzantines.The Spangenhelm is named because its structure joins several metal "spangen," or strips. Metal plate or horn made the material between the strips. The Spangenhelm connected late antiquity and the early medieval period. Byzantines, Vikings, and likely Carolingians used it.The Spangenhelm is so called because its structure formed from several metal "spangen," or strips. Metal plate or horn made the material between these strips. This helmet bridged late antiquity and the early medieval period. Byzantines, Vikings, and possibly Carolingians used the Spangenhelm.

The Yuan helmet was named for the period in Chinese history after the Mongols conquered it.The Yuan helmet was sometimes decorated with dragons.The helmet had a conical shape, influenced by [missing information].Mongolian headgear is what the Yuan helmet represents.This example probably dates to the 13th-14th centuries. It shows intricate decoration.

The cervelliere is a simple skull cap.The cervelliere was used by infantry in the 14th century. People often wore it with a mail coif.Infantry wore the cervelliere in the 14th century. They often wore it with a mail coif.The mail coif protected the neck and the sides of the head.The mail coif protected the neck and the sides of the head.