Even though it was heat treated, it seems unlikely to me that a helmet with that degree of embossed decoration would survive long in combat, at least compared to one with a smoother surface. Perhaps it belonged to someone used to commanding his army/company from the rear, who didn't expect to have to get stuck in, himself?
Maybe, but then why hear treating it? Maybe we overestimate the difference that an embossed surface has over a more lean one. Maybe the owner wasn't concerned with it. It's also worth mentioning that a direct war lance shot to the face may not be survivable, or that the owner was confident in his ability to defend himself from such strike.
There is also a distinction between tournament combat and martial combat. Possibly the armor was for social events like tournaments where you needed real protection but it was not about life or death, but protecting accidents. That said, there is also some splendidly gilded armors which show signs that despite all the work in the art and decorations on it they actually used it in combat as it has chinks and dents of strikes on it. Lastly, given the German style with heavy fluting there may be an open question to what extent the decoration might actually be structurally mimicking the defensive enhancements of that and not be just for show. The Habsburg collection in Vienna has late Rennaissance armor called "Animus armor" which is heavy segmented plate armor mimicking organic structure or clothing,... it also was double plated (aka the segments on top covered anothe plate below) This stuff is only for the highest aristocracy, but not for show either.
What kind of weirdo gives this a down vote? I love learning about armor and weapons from a actual qualified Knight without all the rape and murder of the original Knights
I'd say it is also a mask and as all masks do it nudges the wearer to mentally get into a character. Sort of a renaissance LARP perhaps, but with real weapons.
Thank you Dr Capwell for sharing this beautiful armour with us. Very much appreciate your insites.
This is a great way to animate the armoury collection of the Wallace. You have brought the past to life. More please.
Fascinating! Wonderful insights!
Awesome
Excellent video
Fascinating!
Now, imagine a US General appearing on the battlefield in a spandex Spiderman costume…
Superman costume is just so dumb and ugly compared to this armour though.
16th century cosplay...
Love it
So the base of the helmet is missing, isn’t it? Certainly a remarkable piece of art however!
You weren`t listening,Its only the visor.
Even though it was heat treated, it seems unlikely to me that a helmet with that degree of embossed decoration would survive long in combat, at least compared to one with a smoother surface. Perhaps it belonged to someone used to commanding his army/company from the rear, who didn't expect to have to get stuck in, himself?
Maybe, but then why hear treating it? Maybe we overestimate the difference that an embossed surface has over a more lean one. Maybe the owner wasn't concerned with it.
It's also worth mentioning that a direct war lance shot to the face may not be survivable, or that the owner was confident in his ability to defend himself from such strike.
There is also a distinction between tournament combat and martial combat. Possibly the armor was for social events like tournaments where you needed real protection but it was not about life or death, but protecting accidents.
That said, there is also some splendidly gilded armors which show signs that despite all the work in the art and decorations on it they actually used it in combat as it has chinks and dents of strikes on it.
Lastly, given the German style with heavy fluting there may be an open question to what extent the decoration might actually be structurally mimicking the defensive enhancements of that and not be just for show.
The Habsburg collection in Vienna has late Rennaissance armor called "Animus armor" which is heavy segmented plate armor mimicking organic structure or clothing,... it also was double plated (aka the segments on top covered anothe plate below)
This stuff is only for the highest aristocracy, but not for show either.
What kind of weirdo gives this a down vote?
I love learning about armor and weapons from a actual qualified Knight without all the rape and murder of the original Knights
I'd say it is also a mask and as all masks do it nudges the wearer to mentally get into a character. Sort of a renaissance LARP perhaps, but with real weapons.