Historical Overview

Pot helmet otherwise known as the Great - one of the medieval knight's helmets. It is most often associated with knights. It evolved from its predecessors (including Norman and Spangenhelm) at the turn of the 12th and 13th century. It was made of riveted steel plates, which were reinforced with metal rims. Such a helmet was equipped with vents and long, narrow gaps through which the knight looked at the battlefield. The helmet covered completely the knight's face, so frequently on the top of it a crest jewel was placed, which allowed to recognize who is hidden behind the steel cover of the knight. The largest variants of the helmet were sometimes so heavy that they rested not on the head but on the knight's shoulders. Under such huge pot helmets a hood of earrings and a smaller secret helmet were worn, which with time turned into a bascinet type helmet. Due to the fact that it significantly limited the field of vision it was worn just before the fight.