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Helmet

Unknown1100/1200

Rijksmuseum van Oudheden

Rijksmuseum van Oudheden
Leiden, Netherlands

This type of helmet is basically a skull cap. It closely fitted the wearer’s head and was attached to a supple cap of mail ‘knitted’ from little rings. This enabled the wearer to move his head freely, his eyes remaining unobstructed. This type of helmet was worn by archers, for instance.
The convex top of the ‘skull helmet’ shows a sword gash which landed on the back of the head. Apparently, the archer was struck from behind,maybe while sitting on his knees. It seems very unlikely that the helmet’s wearer survived this blow, which has dented the iron; it must have split his skull in two.
The helmet was found in a canal in the Dutch village of Hatenboer. Possibly its wearer fell into the water, helmet and all, after being attacked.

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  • Title: Helmet
  • Creator: Unknown
  • Date Created: 1100/1200
  • Location: Hatenboer, Nederland
  • Physical Dimensions: h21 cm
  • Datering: 1100-1200
  • Afmetingen: 21 x 18 cm
  • Type: helmet
  • External Link: Rijksmuseum van Oudheden
  • Medium: metal; iron
Rijksmuseum van Oudheden

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