Our Spangenhelm is based on an 11th century piece. Its solid “nasal” and reinforced “eyebrows” was a typical design used between the 11th and 13th centuries. Many can be seen on the famous Bayeaux Tapestry, which records scenes from the 1066 A.D. Battle of Hastings. As with the originals, our Spangenhelm is provided with a leather chin strap. It also includes an attractive wooden display stand complete with engraved historical plaque.
History of the Spangenhelm
The Spangenhelm was a popular European war helmet design of the Early Middle Ages. The name is of German origin. Spangen refers to the metal strips that form the framework for the helmet and could be translated as clips, and -helm simply means helmet. The strips connect three to six steel or bronze plates. The frame takes a conical design that curves with the shape of the head and culminates in a point. The front of the helmet may include a nose protector (a nasal). Older spangenhelms often include cheek flaps made from metal or leather. Spangenhelms may incorporate chain mail as neck protection. Some spangenhelms include eye protection in a shape that resembles modern eyeglass frames. Other spangenhelms include a full face mask.
The spangenhelm originated in Central Asia. It arrived in Europe by way of what is now southern Russia and Ukraine. By the 6th century it was the most common helmet design in Europe and in popular use throughout the Middle East. It is known to date back to the 6th century and was used as late as the 15th century.
The spangenhelm was an effective protection that was relatively easy to produce. Weakness of the design were its partial head protection and its jointed construction. It was replaced by the casque.
