Helmets are considered as one of the most universal forms of armor.
Offering a defensive covering for the head, helmets protect the head,
face and sometimes the neck from the cutting blows of swords, spears,
arrows and other weapons. The Medieval period helmets were made of
leather & iron and covered the entire head, with only a narrow
opening in front for vision and breath. The typical helmet is a
hardened-steel shell with an inner liner and weighs about 1 to 4 pounds. The medieval helmets were of leather reinforced with bronze or iron straps and usually took the form of conical or hemispherical skullcaps. With the increasing amount of metal used in their making, the helmets were fashioned of iron and gradually the helm, or heaume, emerged. It was a flat-topped cylinder that was put on over the skullcap just before an engagement. At the same time, the skullcap developed into the basinet, with pieces added to protect the neck and with a movable visor for the face. The later helmets employed hinges or pivots to permit the piece to be put on over the head and then fitted snugly around head and neck. The conical iron and steel helmets developed in medieval age are valued as works of art owing to the fine forging and delicate damascening. The medieval helmet started out as a simple box shape and evolved into the various styles.
Of the different styles of medieval helmets, some are valued for best designs and compliment the knight's armor. The Great Helm is one highly recognizable piece of knight armor with the conical shape. These helmets were also used for tournaments but became heavier and more massive as time went on. The close helmet, other type of medieval helmet is typically seen with a full suit of knight armor and offered great protection for the face.
