[Nathan Robinson]

I've had a few people email me asking some questions after seeing the Custom Black Prince Helm with Crest featured on the Web site of Arms & Armor.



This is what A&A says about it:

The Helm of the Black Prince hangs above his tomb and is topped by a crest of a lion. This reproduction was done several years ago but is one we are still quite proud of. The helmet is sized to the original and blued a deep blue-black finish. The crest is made of wood, leather, plaster and paint. It sits atop the helm and is attached by internal laces, as was the original.

The client wanted an exceptional piece for their home and was very happy with the results of this commission.

After some discussions about this piece, I was asked to post a photo of the original and so here it is:



The funeral achievements of Edward, the Black Prince, dated 1376, hung over his monument in Canterbury Cathedral, consisting of helm with crest, shield, gauntlets of copper-gilt, and leather scabbard of his sword.

[Russ Ellis]

An interesting comment in how tastes change in many ways. It looks like A&A did a fine job creating the reproduction and yet I'm sitting here thinking to myself. "I wouldn't want that on a helm." I'm betting most of the rest of you guys wouldn't either. Am I wrong? What do you guys think?

[Nathan Robinson]

[Jean Thibodeau]

Yup, no silly paper hats for me either on my armour. Oh, don't get me wrong, it's a great idea for someone to have had this reproduction made, but what might have been a wonderful fashion statement at the time makes me want to giggle !

On a historical level I wonder if this decoration would resemble civilian headgear that might have been worn by the upper crust ?

I would think that these would be for wear at Jousts or festive occasions and not in a serious battle ???

A lot of what would have been considered very " cool " or stylish by Ancien or Medieval people would be considered by us really tacky bad taste.

Again, as a display piece A & A did a great job making it and as part of an authentic historical display it's great stuff.

I guess one of these " Garnishes ? " with horns & dragons making one look fierce would appeal to me more.

[Patrick Kelly]

[Gregory J. Liebau]

To start, I'll say I really like that replica, and that there are only a few very minor details I can see that are off in some way or another. I'd be proud to own that! Thanks for the image of the originals, too. I don't think I'd seen one!

And, to the other point... I suppose I find myself really lucky, considering I never find anything to be ugly. I can look at a modern car, or a house, or a painting, or an ancient piece of armor, and never think "that's ugly." I always try to bring out the uniqueness and interesting factors in everything, and say to myself that if it doesn't catch my eye overall, what on it does. I'm always sure to find something.

I think that's what makes this hobby so cool for me, personally, among other things!

-Gregory-

[Alexander Hinman]

For a tournament, I'd certainly like a paper hat with a lion on my helm. In battle, I'd be wary, but, of course, I doubt that's what this is intended for.. I may be wrong and Edward had that bit of flair.

I was in Canterbury Cathedral over the summer, and saw the originals. They were all sun-bleached (including the shield) but still quite attractive. One thing that struck me as surprising, however, was how *thin* the scabbard is. It looked almost like a slightly wide rapier at first.

[Russ Ellis]

[Joe Yurgil]

I guess it's like Patrick said: If one is a big fan of the Black Prince this would be pretty cool. It is pretty cool anyway, from a historical perspective on fashion and what not. Granted, it does indeed look silly by our standards as you have all said. Back in the day though it would have been quite a site since most people didn't own armor like that and only a king could afford to have something fancy like that.

There was another thread i was just reading a bit ago about this (i forget which one though). This instantly makes the nobles identifiable since there were not photographs to go from.

So who would want a helm with the fancy schmancy top? Someone interested in historical accuracy and either the Black Prince or other noble types.

edit: 100th post! yay!

[Chad Arnow]

I dream of owning a crested great helm. The more ostentatious and ridiculous, the better. I also personally believe these were worn in battle, not just at the tourney/joust. There's pictorial evidence for use of crested helms in battle.

I love them. I wish there were more on the market. They are fantastic examples of the lengths people went to to say "Look at me! I have money! More money than you do!" One could theorize that an ostentatious crest signaled that you were important enough that it would be wiser and more fiscally to your benefit to capture and ransom you rather than kill you.

Here are a few more.

From the effigy of Weikard Frosch:



From Medieval Reproductions:

[Ryan A. C.]

I don't see the practicality of wearing something that fancy in battle. It doesn't even seem like it would last very long traveling on campaign much less if you saw any fighting. Somebody who wouldn't come to blows, maybe. You have a colorful shield and surcoat to show off who you are and what you are worth. Do you really need a fancy helmet hat?

I thought it looked friggin cool...

[Jean Thibodeau]

Chad;

Now the one with the horns would be my cup of tea. And maybe they would be worn in battle, they might not last long though.

Japanese helmets also seem to use some of these extravagant decorations: Some look fierce, some look regal and some look like a giant spoon or shovel stuck on top of one's head

With the Black Prince example the hat part by itself minus Helm and Lion looks like a fashionable hat that some very rich "Dandy" might wear to impress the peasants when in civilian clothes ( Not in armour ).

To be fair the work involved reproducing this by A & A deserves a bit more respect than what my first flip comments may have given the impression: As an art piece it is sort of growing on me.

[Rod Walker]

[Jean Thibodeau]

Rod;

Really nice example of the type of decoration that works for me, gargoyle, dragon or griffon ??? Whatever but very.

The rest also looks great also !

HMMMMMMMM; As someone mentioned, maybe it also meant I'm important, I'm rich, I had the best sword masters money could buy, I have lots of loyal retainers and rich relatives who will pay a LARGE ransom for me alive and will seek revenge if I am killed killed.

[Christian Henry Tobler]

I suspect that the A&A implementation of the crest is a little too severe in the angles and in its precise (and impressive) fit to the helm. The original has a little more naturalistic, rounded, look to it.

BTW, the hat itself is a simple chapeau with an ermine brim. There are numerous illustrations of nobles wearing one version or another of that style hat - you can even see later variations of it in Talhoffer. These hats were made in a pattern roughly akin to a backwards version of the hunting style, or 'Robin Hood' hat.

Many crests for jousts were elaborate, immitative of civilian fashion, or downright whimsical.

Personally, I think it's pretty cool...


All the best,

CHT

[Jean Thibodeau]

Good point, maybe we are forgeting that they also had a sense of humour and could have fun with this.

[Nathan Robinson]

I'm surprised that so few have done any research on historical clothing to recognize the style of hat being replicated. I find that this area of study is fundamentally important to the study of arms and armour, as there is a back-and-forth evolutionary influence between the two. Besides, so many people of this community are into recreating a persona or at least understanding how the items of arms and armour fit into the context of the period. Again, with this, the study of period clothing and dress is crucial. I can understand one's lack of interest to do any serious study on the matter, but the study of portraits and historical art is a key ingredient in understanding arms and armour of the period. Being exposed to this artwork inevitably opens the world of historic dress to the scholar.

[Aaron Schnatterly]

[Nathan Robinson]

[Rod Walker]

Thanks Jean, here is the kit in use at a jousting tournament a few years ago.

The overall effect of the harness, caparisons and surcoats is not complete without a suitable crest.