Helmets

Most helmets of the early Middle Ages were designed according to ancient helmetes. One famous exception is the eastern Gothic “bar helmet” which consisted of several parts in contrast to its ancient counterparts. Further types of helmets came from the Russian plains during the 10^th and 11^th century and from Byzantium during the 11^th and 12^th century to Central- and West-Europe.

In the outgoing 12^th century, the first round peaked helmets with or without a nosepiece came up, from which the Great Helm and the Bascinet derived. The originally flat top of the Great Helm developed into a high-peaked shape. The front of the helmet changed, too. About 1315 the first movable round visors were invented for the Bascinet, and the visors changed until 1360 when they had the typically pointed shape which was responsible for the Bascinet’s nickname “Pig Face”. At about the same time, at the beginning of the 14^th century, the Aventail was attached to the Bascinet to provide a more efficient protection of the neck. The Aventail was fastened to the helmet with sewn on leather strings, hence leaving only the face uncovered. The Bascinet and the Avenail both were abolished in the 15^th century. In Germany the German Sallet was developed at this time, a unique combination of a Bascinet and a Kettle Helm.