Medieval Helmets: Why Were They Worn by Medieval Knights?

The warrior’s helmet is one of the most iconic pieces of medieval armor. These protective headpieces were made from iron and bronze, a metal combination that provided protection from many types of attacks.

These medieval helmets were often decorated with embossed or engraved designs to make it easier to identify an enemy in battle. While these helmets were sometimes used for ceremonial occasions, they were generally thought to be impractical for actual fighting.

Although it’s difficult to know exactly what a medieval knight would have worn during combat, examples found in museums and collections have been dated back as far as the 1200s in Western Europe.

Purpose of Medieval Helmets:

The medieval knight helmet was typically made out of iron, a strong metal. Even in battle, the helmets weren’t especially heavy. However, their size and shape were designed to cause harm to an opponent who tried to take them off or hit one with a sword. The helmets also had ridges and spikes that served the same function as the chainmail armor that knights wore underneath them.

The chinstrap would keep arrows from going down their throat when they were on horseback or fighting on foot. They also had very little space for long hair in order to keep it neat and out of the way during battles. Here are the five reasons why medieval knights wore helmets:

• For Protection:

The primary purpose of a medieval knight helmet was to protect their head and face from injury. Medieval helmets were designed to be strong, but their strength also made them a bit heavy. While the helmets’ weight may have been a burden for the knights, it also helped protect them from being killed in battle.

These helmets had ridges and spikes that served as protection. The chinstrap would keep arrows from going down their throat when they were on horseback or fighting on foot. They also had very little space for long hair in order to keep it neat and out of the way during battles.

• A Sign of Honor:

According to the medieval Knight, an individual of high honor who would be chosen by another noble and considered a symbol of their status, the helmet that knights wore is at once “a sign of their prestige,” and “a privilege.” This helmet had two defenses: its metal or leather plating and its padded lining.

The top was constructed ornately with colorful designs that varied by region. For a knight, wealth was not measured in monetary amount. Instead, a knight’s ranking depended on his honor as they honed their skills in pushups and other strenuous physical activities. From jousting tournaments to serving meals at royalty’s tables, knights served not only as warriors but also as officers within society’s upper echelons.

• Pride in Battlefields:

The Knights wore helmets as pride on the battlefields. These helmets are their symbol; their glory. For the Knights, this symbol is absolutely necessary to be on the battlefield. They need it more than anything and will stop at nothing to get it. Their victory is inevitable until they cannot find their helmets again.

Medieval Helmets Today!

From the time when a knight could only find glory in battle, medieval helmets evolved greatly as technologies changed. They are still used for their original purpose of protecting the head and face from blows during combat. But today, they are also incorporated into fashionably designed helmets that can be worn by anyone at a variety of events such as in university sports teams or at speeches.

There are a few customs performed in medieval times which have become staples for people to do today, such as jousting and fancy dress. The most popular is certainly jousting which has been established as one of the most iconic medieval practices that are still being practiced today.

You might think that knights would want to keep their helmets on while they were fighting since there’s no telling what could happen with a strong gust of wind or a falling tree branch, but you’d be wrong. They often took their helmets off during battle so they could breathe better and avoid cuts and bruises, but they would take them off before they dismounted to fight again.