Great helm
Encyclopedia
The great helm or heaume, also called pot helm, bucket helm and barrel helm, of the High Middle Ages
arose in the late twelfth century in the context of the crusades and remained in use until the fourteenth century. They were used by knights and heavy infantry in most European armies between about 1220 to 1540 AD, however they were used widely throughout Christian armies in the Third Crusade
(1189–1192).
The style is sometimes referred to as a 'crusader helmet', but also as a 'pot helm', and a later variant with a more conical top is known as a 'sugarloaf helm'. In Spanish they are called yelmo de Zaragoza, referring to Zaragoza
where they were introduced for the first time in the Iberian peninsula.
Although the great helm offered greater protection than previous helmets, such as the nasal helm
and spangenhelm
, it limited the wearer's vision to some extent, and provided poor ventilation. A knight might wear the close-fitting steel skull cap known as a cervelliere
, or its later development the bascinet
beneath the great helm. A great helm may have also an attached mail
collar, or camail, to protect the wearer's neck, throat, and shoulders.
The bascinet
evolved from its early skull cap form to supersede the great helm for combat. The great helm fell into disuse during the 15th century, however it was used commonly in tournaments where a version of the great helm, the frog-mouthed tilting helm, evolved.
and in medieval re-enactment such as the Society for Creative Anachronism
. It is inexpensive, easy to manufacture with even rudimentary equipment (metal scissors, drill, rudimentary anvil, rivets and hammer), and provides good protection for the head against both sharp and blunt weapons. Its biggest drawbacks are poor ventilation and air circulation, especially if worn with closed-cell foam padding, making it very hot in warm weather.
Modern versions of the great-helm demonstrate that great helms are not overly heavy, cumbersome, or uncomfortable; even though modern reenactment
great helms are made from thicker steel than medieval originals for safety , they weigh only 1.5 to 3 kg. Also though visor slits are usually only some 20-30 mm wide, they do not greatly restrict the field of vision as they are very close to the wearer's eyes.
High Middle Ages
The High Middle Ages was the period of European history around the 11th, 12th, and 13th centuries . The High Middle Ages were preceded by the Early Middle Ages and followed by the Late Middle Ages, which by convention end around 1500....
arose in the late twelfth century in the context of the crusades and remained in use until the fourteenth century. They were used by knights and heavy infantry in most European armies between about 1220 to 1540 AD, however they were used widely throughout Christian armies in the Third Crusade
Third Crusade
The Third Crusade , also known as the Kings' Crusade, was an attempt by European leaders to reconquer the Holy Land from Saladin...
(1189–1192).
Evolution
In its simplest form, the great helm was a flat-topped cylinder of steel that completely covered the head and had only very small openings for the eyes and mouth. Later designs gained more of a curved design, particularly on the top, to deflect or lessen the impact of blows.The style is sometimes referred to as a 'crusader helmet', but also as a 'pot helm', and a later variant with a more conical top is known as a 'sugarloaf helm'. In Spanish they are called yelmo de Zaragoza, referring to Zaragoza
Zaragoza
Zaragoza , also called Saragossa in English, is the capital city of the Zaragoza Province and of the autonomous community of Aragon, Spain...
where they were introduced for the first time in the Iberian peninsula.
Although the great helm offered greater protection than previous helmets, such as the nasal helm
Nasal Helm
The nasal helmet is a type of combat helmet used from the Early Middle Ages until the High Middle Ages.The nasal helmet was a form of helmet with a domed or raised center, usually formed around a basic skull-cap design, with a single protruding strip that extended down over the nose to provide...
and spangenhelm
Spangenhelm
The Spangenhelm was a popular European war combat helmet design of the Early Middle Ages. The name is of German origin. Spangen refers to the metal strips that form the framework for the helmet and could be translated as clips, and -helm simply means helmet. The strips connect three to six steel or...
, it limited the wearer's vision to some extent, and provided poor ventilation. A knight might wear the close-fitting steel skull cap known as a cervelliere
Cervelliere
The cervelliere is a round, close-fitting steel skull cap. It was worn as a helmet during the medieval period.- History :It was first introduced during the late 12th and was the primary head protection for Crusaders at that time and was worn either alone or over chainmail...
, or its later development the bascinet
Bascinet
The bascinet was a Medieval European open-faced military helmet, typically fitted with an aventail and hinged visor. The term is also written as bassinet or basinet.-Early versions:...
beneath the great helm. A great helm may have also an attached mail
Chainmail
Mail is a type of armour consisting of small metal rings linked together in a pattern to form a mesh.-History:Mail was a highly successful type of armour and was used by nearly every metalworking culture....
collar, or camail, to protect the wearer's neck, throat, and shoulders.
The bascinet
Bascinet
The bascinet was a Medieval European open-faced military helmet, typically fitted with an aventail and hinged visor. The term is also written as bassinet or basinet.-Early versions:...
evolved from its early skull cap form to supersede the great helm for combat. The great helm fell into disuse during the 15th century, however it was used commonly in tournaments where a version of the great helm, the frog-mouthed tilting helm, evolved.
Decoration
The Great Helm was often blackened, lacquered or painted, and frequently bore decorations such as:- Ventilation decoration (crosses and symbols)
- Visor (horizontal and vertical "cross") decorations
- Attached decorations, such as crowns, feathers, metal wings (found on helmets belonging to Teutonic KnightsTeutonic KnightsThe Order of Brothers of the German House of Saint Mary in Jerusalem , commonly the Teutonic Order , is a German medieval military order, in modern times a purely religious Catholic order...
).
Contemporary reenactors
The great helm is today especially popular amongst live-action role playersLive action role-playing game
A live action role-playing game is a form of role-playing game where the participants physically act out their characters' actions. The players pursue goals within a fictional setting represented by the real world, while interacting with each other in character. The outcome of player actions may...
and in medieval re-enactment such as the Society for Creative Anachronism
Society for Creative Anachronism
The Society for Creative Anachronism is an international living history group with the aim of studying and recreating mainly Medieval European cultures and their histories before the 17th century...
. It is inexpensive, easy to manufacture with even rudimentary equipment (metal scissors, drill, rudimentary anvil, rivets and hammer), and provides good protection for the head against both sharp and blunt weapons. Its biggest drawbacks are poor ventilation and air circulation, especially if worn with closed-cell foam padding, making it very hot in warm weather.
Modern versions of the great-helm demonstrate that great helms are not overly heavy, cumbersome, or uncomfortable; even though modern reenactment
Modern reenactment
Modern reenactment is historical reenactment of events of the modern period, most commonly events from the 18th century to the present.The period starts with events such as the Seven Years' War, the Napoleonic Wars, and the peak of the Royal Navy's power....
great helms are made from thicker steel than medieval originals for safety , they weigh only 1.5 to 3 kg. Also though visor slits are usually only some 20-30 mm wide, they do not greatly restrict the field of vision as they are very close to the wearer's eyes.
External links
- Surviving examples, and illustrations
- The Field of a Shield and the Heraldic Tinctures a discussion of heraldry and great helm crests
- Arador Armour Library design and construction techniques for replica great helms
- Medieval Helm Crests design and construction techniques for helm crests
- Construction guide for a historical combat re-enactment great helm