What type of helmet is this?

[Vycoul22]

Hello all, I've been wondering what kind of helmet this is, and what kind of soldier would wear it?
TLG seems to like to put it on archers but wouldn't the brim block the archers vision?

[Ye Olde Republic]

Hi, we've long guessed that it is intended to be a Kettle-helm with a chain mail hood attached. Probably infantry types (footmen) wore it most because the wide brim was good for deflecting projectiles coming in from higher angles away from the soldiers head and neck. Hope that helps.

[elwurmogrande]

Some more info on the kettle-helm. It was used in Europe from the 12th to the late 15th century and was indeed very popular among all different kinds of men-at-arms from foot-soldiers to horse-soldiers. Even knights used them once in a while as they offered good protection and breathing was much easier in comparison to the great helm. It was highly popular in Palestine due to the hot climate.

There are basically two types, sometimes called an English and German version. The English version is round, like the LEGO version, while the German type is more angled and flat on top. Actually both names are silly, as both types were used throughout Europe.

"German" type:
http://der-guertler.de/images/macj_helm.gif

Here you can find several different types of helmets, including the different kettle-helmets and the great helm.
http://www.manesse.de/BildSuche.php?id=358&s=Helm&a=erg&

[Heir of Black Falcon]

You can find these used into the 16th, especially in Britain, Norway, Sweden, Denmary, Spain and Eastern Europe. They develop into the morion and cabasset helmets of the 16th-late17th/early 18th. These two helmet types becoming two of the most common for infantry and light cavalry aside the burgonet.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morion_(helmet)

They were often used for infantry as the full brim was especially good at deflecting downward blows away from the head and shoulders. As Elwurmo said though they find use elsewhere. On the Hastings effigy of 1347 one of the lords shown as weepers has one one.

Heir

[elwurmogrande]

I have forgotten something. The kettle-helmet is the forerunner of the sallet in central Europe of the 15th and early 16th century. Now that would be a nice helmet for the future. Maybe one day Lego, Brickforge or Little Armory might design one, although the Dragon Master's helmet is somehow similar.

http://www.minifigs.net/webpage/images/castle/dragon_kights/Dragon_Master_red.jpg
http://www.minifigs.net/webpage/images/castle/dragon_kights/Dragon_Master_red_2.jpg

Pics:
http://houseasgard.com/asgardpic/armorh/paintedsallet1.jpg
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Helm_DSC02194.JPG

In Duerer's famous print Ritter, Tod und Teufel (Knight, Death and the Devil) of 1513, he shows this great helmet.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Duerer_-_Ritter,_Tod_und_Teufel_(Der_Reuther).jpg

Here are some more pics
http://www.library.arizona.edu/exhibits/illuman/images/full_resolution/13_03.jpg
http://www.burgenseite.com/faschen/gozzoburg_ritter_3.jpg

[Frank_Lloyd_Knight]

Forgive me if I'm going off on a tangent, but while I see so many knowledgable people replyng, I thought I might also ask if anyone has ever figured out where TLG got the inspiration for this helmet...

I've seen plenty of depictions of similar helmets in medieval art, but never one with a neck guard like this.

[Robin Hood]

Going out on a limb here, but I rather think the neck guard is intended to be chain mail. For protection of the neck, while still allowing freedom of movement. But that is just my guess, based on the design. I have no actual facts to back that up. I'm sure other members can enlighten us further on this.

Dan

[elwurmogrande]

No problem.

It's a cape of chainmail and it isn't well done.
http://www.bueker-gmbh.de/pics/l/alias2/R56-kettenhaube-aus-duraluminium.jpg
http://www.thing-schmiede.de/neue%20Thing%20Schmiede/images/Spangenhelm%20und%20Kettenhaube.jpg

The backs of the "bullet helmet" and the kettle helmet are better designed.

It was developed out of the early medieval "spangenhelm"
http://de.academic.ru/pictures/dewiki/6 ... arland.jpg

During the Middle Ages many different types existed. With and without nasal, with a flat or round top, etc. It was in use from the 9th century to the 13th century.
http://www.manesse.de/manesse/img/kfb/ausschnitte/Aus-kfb041-Nasalhelm320-542-400-599.jpg
http://www.historiavivens1300.at/helme/helm-10.jpg
http://www.burgenseite.com/faschen/vezeley_ritter_071.jpg
http://www.burgenseite.com/faschen/louvre_ritter_0149.jpg

It evolved into the early type of the great helmet
http://astor-versand.eshop.t-online.de/WebRoot/Store6/Shops/Shop10643/48C7/A305/B036/61D6/07F8/AC14/500A/A525/1723083901a.jpg
another helmet I would like to see as a LEGO version

[evilnailman]

There's quite a similar neckguard on the Sutton Hoo helmet:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Sutto ... RobRoy.jpg

Although the noseguard is clearly different.

Matt

[Heir of Black Falcon]

I always had a hard time with that one. It looks like a simple spangen helm but I could never tell if they wanted it to be a mail aventail or solid plate. The lower half sort of reminds me of some eastern european, byzantine, or steppe helmets I have seen. Of course the Sutton Hoo helmet idea might work as well... I had never thought of it before.

Heir

[Frank_Lloyd_Knight]

There's quite a similar neckguard on the Sutton Hoo helmet:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Sutto ... RobRoy.jpg

Although the noseguard is clearly different.

Matt

Out of all the times I've seen pictures of the Sutton Hoo helmet, I've never noticed that it had a neck guard. Thanks for pointing that out.

[Vycoul22]

Wow Thanks everyone! You answered my questions and so much more!
I learned as much in 10 posts as I would expect from a hour long documentary entitled "History of The Helmet"! Thanks everyone!
Also, I too would love to see this helmet http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Helm_DSC02194.JPG in Lego form.

[Heir of Black Falcon]

Me too!

There are loads of cool things TLC could make... I'd love a sallet and bascinet!

Heir

[TheFlarbar]

You can find these used into the 16th, especially in Britain, Norway, Sweden, Denmary, Spain and Eastern Europe. They develop into the morion and cabasset helmets of the 16th-late17th/early 18th. These two helmet types becoming two of the most common for infantry and light cavalry aside the burgonet.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morion_(helmet)

They were often used for infantry as the full brim was especially good at deflecting downward blows away from the head and shoulders. As Elwurmo said though they find use elsewhere. On the Hastings effigy of 1347 one of the lords shown as weepers has one one.

Heir

I don't know, Wikipedia isn't always right. Check other sources and see what information they have.

[JoshWedin]

I don't know, Wikipedia isn't always right. Check other sources and see what information they have.

Do you have reason to doubt the information? Of just questioning it because Wikipedia was used as a source?

Josh