The History of Medieval Knight Helmets

[Dept of PMM Artists & things]

In medieval times, knights were the symbols of bravery and chivalry, they protected the kingdom and those in need, and were honorable representatives of a noble social class. Knights have always been the heroes in the legends and tales from the middle ages, and today we still revere and respect these brave, honorable men as the heroes of our movies, video games and other forms of entertainment. Many different weapons and types of armor were used by knights that are still used today as symbols of their heroic past. Helmets are probably one of the more recognizable symbols.

Even among the knights of history, their helmets were an outward symbol of their noble social status, as knights always came from wealthy, high-ranking families. In some situations, for example when the king went into battle, helmets could include the embellishment of a crown. However most helmets bore the symbols of the family coat of arms or other heraldry, which included very often a drawing of a helmet. Barred or open-visor style helmets were used only by higher level knights of royal blood, while the closed helmets were used by commoners or minor noble classes. The armor worn in battle would make everyone look exactly alike, which is why these symbols and style differences were employed as a means of identifying the rank of the knight wearing the helmet, although the real purpose of this armor was to protect the face from weapons. The Helmet of a Medieval Knight.

Perhaps one of the most important pieces of armor in a knight’s arsenal, the helmet was perfected even in the centuries leading up to the era of the medieval knight. Back in the times of Athens, the hoplites used two different types of helmets: the Corinthian, which was used to completely cover the face without any extra embellishment, and the Athenian, which added ornaments such as a plume and a crest, yet offered not face protection outside of cheekites, which could be folded up when needed. The helmet that was used by the Romans featured a crest with three feathers and was made of bronze.

Today, knights continue to be thought of as a symbol of honor and integrity, with many stories written about them and many re-tellings of old legends making their way to the big screen. Helmets remain an important emblem that identifies these heroic figures from our past. Many of the helmets that are used in today’s modern stories and fantasies are embellished with many ornaments that are exaggerated with symbolism that is so large it sometimes is larger than the person who is required to wear them. However, most are designed on the basic design that comes from real historic artifacts and records. Helmets are also used as decorative items in homes or offices to showcase the old medieval values of a time long gone when kingdoms were protected by brave men. In truth, most knights would rarely meet the high expectations of many people today, but the general traditions and ideals of these noblemen remain very well-embedded and their helmets are used as decoration, part of a collection or as a costume to be worn in movies or at parties.