[Nick Hallacher]

Hello,

I'm a first time poster, long time reader. I love this site, well met.

Now, on to my question. I'm beginning to assemble a kit, for a migration era Germanic warrior. My question seemed simple enough to be solved by a quick Google search, but no such luck, so I'll leave it open to the scholars here.

Would it be historically accurate or plausible for a Germanic warrior in roughly the 500AD-700AD(I know...its a long period, but I'm leaning more toward the beginning), to have a late roman type helmet, or maybe some other assorted equipment?

Thanks and have a great one!

[James Barker]

I have been looking at Anglo Saxon gear lately preparing to give a demo at the National Geographic Museum in DC in another week. Here are the common helmets of this era:



http://wychwood.wikidot.com/kit-helmets

http://midgleywebpages.com/helmet.jpg

http://www.flickr.com/photos/leatherworkingre...41/detail/

[Paul Hansen]

The most typical Germanic helmet was perhaps the spangenhelm, or only slightly less typical the bandhelm.

Variants of both types were also used by the late Roman Army, besides other types, like the helmet from Berkasovo.

But for some reason, helmets are scarce in Germanic migration age finds. Even in high status graves with gold decorated swords and golden jewelry (who should have been able to afford a helmet) they are usually absent. Why is a matter of interpretation, but to me it does not seem impossible that many warriors didn't wear them. It's very likely that helmets were scarce among the lower classes, but even for the higher classes they seem not so important. This coincides also with the elaborate hair knots popular among the Germanics, which would be difficult to combine with a helmet.

[Matthew Bunker]

I'd go with a banded helm, as they're much, much harder to pin to one particular period then even spangens. Although there is variety in styles of banded helms, you see the same designs in use from the late iron age to the high medieval.

Either that or, if you really want an 'Anglo-Saxon helmet that fits the middle/latter part of your period of interest, look at the Pioneer helm. It's a style that's in use in the 7th and 8th century and can be found not just in surviving helmets (Pioneer and Coppergate) but also depicted in stone carvings (see Aberlemno 2).

I think intercissa late roman stye ridge helms are best avoided after the 5th century.

[Lorenzo Chinaglia]

Hello,

of sure this type of helmets are from different area and period and like Matthew post the style is from roman or barbarian people. Some of them are later of IX century and are very similar in form and manner at migration period piece but they are from Asia like the Avar helmets or the helmets of the curonian's tribes in the baltic area ...

some interessant link :

http://www.immaginidistoria.it/immagine2.php?id_img=503&id=24

http://metmuseum.org/toah/works-of-art/42.50.1

http://www.roman-artifacts.com/Helmet%20Fragm...vering.htm

http://www.myArmoury.com/talk/viewtopic.php?p=14661#14661

and the exemple in photos in my collection ...

regards

[Nick Hallacher]

Thanks for the replies, and for all the help. I'm leaning towards the Pioneer style helmet. I like the simplicity of it. Most of what I have been able to find from this period in Europe is either highly ornate (Sutton Hoo, Vendal, ex), and prohibitively expensive I might add. It will be fought in, and though only specific and very light blows to the head are allowed...I still wouldn't want to risk a work of art.

Thanks for the replies,

Nick

[Mark Routledge]

Good choice, its a nice practical design

[Nick Hallacher]

Alright well I have done some searching for a Pioneer style helmet, but it appears that I'm going to have to have one custom made. Which is fine, but I need something suitable to purpose in the interim.

What do you think on the suitability of something like this

http://kultofathena.com/product.asp?item=AH67...ovo+Helmet

Remember I'm trying to fit into the late 6th, early 7th century. I know that the cheapest and most historical route to go would be some form of spangenhelm, but knowing some of the guys in my group I would like to have something with nasal and cheek guards. I don't really want a repeat of the broken nose-broken front teeth incident.

So what do you think, too over the top? Thoughts? Ideas?

[Chuck Russell]

no that helmet is too early for what you are wanting

[Matthew Amt]

[Matthew Bunker]

[James Barker]

I just want to make sure I know which helmet you guys mean, the pioneer is the helmet also refereed too as the boars head helmet right? Looks similar to the copper gate with a boar fitting on top.

[Matthew Bunker]

[James Barker]

Thanks Matthew I just wanted to make sure I was on the same page. I have a renewed interest in Anglo Saxon stuff thanks to the Gold Hoard being in town (Washington DC) and I was familiar with the helmets design but not the name people refer to it by.


BTW are you and Mark part of Wulfheodenas? Your icons are too small to clearly make out your faces but your get ups look like those in some of the pictures.

[Matthew Amt]

[Paul Mortimer]

Mark and Matt are both members of Wulfheodenas and both appear in the National Geographic presentation. Well spotted James.

Paul

[James Barker]

Paul

I have been following you guys on the web since you started a couple of threads here a few years ago on Vendel and Anglo Saxon where you posted some pictures. I also joined the facebook group. You guys looked great on both of the National Geographic specials. So few people would put together so much gold and silver in a kit.

[Paul Hansen]

The original poster is looking for a helmet suitable for

[Matthew Bunker]

[Paul Hansen]