Great Helm

Barrel-shaped helmet enclosing the entire head

The great helm was a fully enclosed barrel-shaped helmet worn by European knights from the 12th to 14th century. Its cylindrical design offered complete head protection with narrow eye slits and small breathing holes. An iconic symbol of the Crusades era, it featured heraldic crests atop for battlefield identification. Weighing 2-3kg, its severely restricted vision and breathing led to its gradual replacement by the bascinet in the 14th century.