Conical Helmet (original) (raw)

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The conical helmets worn by the Norman knights at the Battle of Hastings were similar to the ones worn by the Romans. The helmets were built around a framework of bronze or iron strips, overlaid with sheets of bronze or copper. A nasal guard was riveted onto a reinforcing band around the bottom rim. A well-made conical helmet was an effective defence against a sword or a mace. It was less successful in protecting knights against the English battle-axe.

A knight's iron helmet (c. 1070)