Kettle hat
Encyclopedia
A kettle hat is a type of helmet
made of steel
in the shape of a hat
. There are many design variations. The only common element is a wide brim that afforded extra protection to the wearer.
The kettle hat was common all over Medieval Europe
. It was called Eisenhut in German and chapel de fer in French (both names mean "iron hat" in English). It was worn by troops of all types, but most commonly by infantry
. The wide brim gave good protection against blows from above, such as from cavalry
sabre
s, and were very useful in siege warfare as the wide brim would protect the wearer from projectiles shot or dropped from above. They were first produced (as reported in Documentaria Anglo, 1478) in England around 1011, 55 years before the famous Battle of Hastings
. These hats, although cheap, were not admired at first because they were considered only suitable for infantry and did not have the high status of a knight
ly helm like the bascinet
or great helm
. However, those who did use it proved that it was something worthwhile. In many films, English men-at-arms and foot soldiers are often seen wearing these helms.
Hat-shaped helmets were not just a European invention. Japanese Ashigaru
infantrymen wore the jingasa, a helmet shaped like the conical
Japan
ese Coolie hat.
When helmets reappeared in World War I
, the kettle hat made its comeback as the British and U.S. Brodie helmet
(often called tin hat), as well as the French Adrian helmet
. These kettle helmets were also used in World War II
by the British, Commonwealth
forces (such as Canada
), and also by the Americans earlier in the war.
Helmet
A helmet is a form of protective gear worn on the head to protect it from injuries.Ceremonial or symbolic helmets without protective function are sometimes used. The oldest known use of helmets was by Assyrian soldiers in 900BC, who wore thick leather or bronze helmets to protect the head from...
made of steel
Steel
Steel is an alloy that consists mostly of iron and has a carbon content between 0.2% and 2.1% by weight, depending on the grade. Carbon is the most common alloying material for iron, but various other alloying elements are used, such as manganese, chromium, vanadium, and tungsten...
in the shape of a hat
Hat
A hat is a head covering. It can be worn for protection against the elements, for ceremonial or religious reasons, for safety, or as a fashion accessory. In the past, hats were an indicator of social status...
. There are many design variations. The only common element is a wide brim that afforded extra protection to the wearer.
The kettle hat was common all over Medieval Europe
Middle Ages
The Middle Ages is a periodization of European history from the 5th century to the 15th century. The Middle Ages follows the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 and precedes the Early Modern Era. It is the middle period of a three-period division of Western history: Classic, Medieval and Modern...
. It was called Eisenhut in German and chapel de fer in French (both names mean "iron hat" in English). It was worn by troops of all types, but most commonly by infantry
Infantry
Infantrymen are soldiers who are specifically trained for the role of fighting on foot to engage the enemy face to face and have historically borne the brunt of the casualties of combat in wars. As the oldest branch of combat arms, they are the backbone of armies...
. The wide brim gave good protection against blows from above, such as from cavalry
Cavalry
Cavalry or horsemen were soldiers or warriors who fought mounted on horseback. Cavalry were historically the third oldest and the most mobile of the combat arms...
sabre
Sabre
The sabre or saber is a kind of backsword that usually has a curved, single-edged blade and a rather large hand guard, covering the knuckles of the hand as well as the thumb and forefinger...
s, and were very useful in siege warfare as the wide brim would protect the wearer from projectiles shot or dropped from above. They were first produced (as reported in Documentaria Anglo, 1478) in England around 1011, 55 years before the famous Battle of Hastings
Battle of Hastings
The Battle of Hastings occurred on 14 October 1066 during the Norman conquest of England, between the Norman-French army of Duke William II of Normandy and the English army under King Harold II...
. These hats, although cheap, were not admired at first because they were considered only suitable for infantry and did not have the high status of a knight
Knight
A knight was a member of a class of lower nobility in the High Middle Ages.By the Late Middle Ages, the rank had become associated with the ideals of chivalry, a code of conduct for the perfect courtly Christian warrior....
ly helm like 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:...
or great helm
Great helm
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...
. However, those who did use it proved that it was something worthwhile. In many films, English men-at-arms and foot soldiers are often seen wearing these helms.
Hat-shaped helmets were not just a European invention. Japanese Ashigaru
Ashigaru
The Japanese ashigaru were foot-soldiers of medieval Japan. The first known reference to ashigaru was in the 1300s, but it was during the Ashikaga Shogunate-Muromachi period that the use of ashigaru became prevalent by various warring factions.-Origins:Attempts were made in Japan by the Emperor...
infantrymen wore the jingasa, a helmet shaped like the conical
Cone (geometry)
A cone is an n-dimensional geometric shape that tapers smoothly from a base to a point called the apex or vertex. Formally, it is the solid figure formed by the locus of all straight line segments that join the apex to the base...
Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
ese Coolie hat.
When helmets reappeared in World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, the kettle hat made its comeback as the British and U.S. Brodie helmet
Brodie helmet
The Brodie helmet, called Helmet, steel, Mark I helmet in Britain and the M1917 Helmet in the U.S., was a steel combat helmet designed and patented in 1915 by the Briton John Leopold Brodie...
(often called tin hat), as well as the French Adrian helmet
Adrian helmet
The M15 Adrian helmet was a combat helmet issued to the French Army during World War I. It was the first standard helmet of the French Army and was designed when millions of French troops were engaged in trench warfare, and head wounds became a frequent cause of battlefield casualties...
. These kettle helmets were also used in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
by the British, Commonwealth
Commonwealth
Commonwealth is a traditional English term for a political community founded for the common good. Historically, it has sometimes been synonymous with "republic."More recently it has been used for fraternal associations of some sovereign nations...
forces (such as Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
), and also by the Americans earlier in the war.