Hello, I am currently in the process of righting regulations for a 14th century re-enactment group based in Scotland around the wars of independence, An issue has arose about weather or not to use visored helmets, we have plenty of pictorial evidence(from over 8 different manuscripts) for there use put cannot find any surviving ones and none of the other 14thC groups we have dealt with seem to use them,

does anyone here know if they were used / have any advice or evidence on the matter for us?

The Holkham bible from the late 1320's or early 1330's does display visored bascinettes or possibly sugarloaves when reffering to the battle of Bannockburn.
[ Linked Image ]

The battle itself took place 1314 but the 10-20 year later depiction could well have "upgraded" the battlefield to a more modern standard.

If you have not seen this site you should.... it is indeed awesome!

http://manuscriptminiatures.com/

One from c.1300
http://manuscriptminiatures.com/4219/8092/

There are loads of visored helmet.

RPM

How about this one in the Musee de L'Armee in Paris
http://www.therionarms.com/reenact/therionarms_c1405_original.jpg
Looks like the manuscript to me

It does look like the ms illustration but there is a lot of debate about its authenticity. The visor may well be a later addition to 'complete' the skull.

Hi Mark,
you are right there are views that this is a Victorian "adjustment" I have recently asked the museum for their records on this helmet but as yet I have only had the "we will look into your request" standard reply. I will post the results of my request when or if it comes :)

I would have to agree with the caption beneath the image - the helmet in question looks like something from the 15th C. Take a look at the helmet that got knocked off Goliath's kastenbrust armour. I am not sure of the date on the painting, but I would guess 1430-1440:

[ Linked Image ]

-Hildebrandt

cheers guys