Richard the LIONHEART'S fancy new HELMET

Modern History TV2 minutes read

A flat-top medieval helmet, as seen on Richard the Lionheart's seal, was designed for cavalry combat, potentially against lance attacks. While offering limited vision and mobility, the helmet emphasized offense over defense in close combat scenarios, highlighting the rider's reliance on their team for defense.

Insights

  • The medieval flat top helmet, as seen on Richard the Lionheart's seal, was designed with a widened face plate for cavalry combat protection against lance attacks or missile fire, distinguishing it from open face helmets used by other knights.
  • Despite debates on its effectiveness in deflecting shots, the helmet's practical use on horseback revealed vision limitations, necessitating well-trained horses and emphasizing offense over defense in combat scenarios like knee-to-knee cavalry charges.

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Recent questions

  • What was the design of the medieval helmet seen on Richard the Lionheart's seal?

    Flat top design

  • What was the purpose of widening the face plate of the medieval helmet?

    Protection in cavalry combat

  • What additional protection did knights wear under the medieval helmet?

    Padded coif

  • How did the medieval helmet's vision restrictions impact combat effectiveness?

    Tunnel vision effect

  • What type of combat scenarios was the medieval helmet suitable for?

    Knee-to-knee cavalry charges

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Summary

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Medieval helmet with flat top design

  • A little-known medieval helmet type, seen on Richard the Lionheart's seal, had a flat top design.
  • The helmet's face plate was likely widened for protection in cavalry combat, possibly against lance attacks or missile fire.
  • While high nobility wore this helmet, other knights used open face helmets concurrently.
  • The flat top design was debated for deflecting shots, but angled armor could offer protection.
  • The helmet's practical use was tested on a horse, highlighting vision limitations and the need for well-trained horses.
  • Wearing a padded coif underneath the helmet provided additional protection and comfort.
  • The helmet's vision restrictions were evident during horse riding, affecting the rider's ability to see the ground and handle weapons.
  • The helmet's tunnel vision effect was noted, emphasizing focus on offense rather than defense in combat.
  • The helmet's limitations in vision and mobility made it suitable for specific close combat scenarios, like knee-to-knee cavalry charges.
  • Richard the Lionheart's choice of this helmet indicated a focus on attack, relying on his team for defense due to vision restrictions.
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