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Crusader Kettle Helmet
An open-faced steel helmet (chapeau de fer) widely issued to crusader infantry and crossbowmen in the 1190s, with a rounded pot-shaped crown and a wi…
Timeline
- 1190–1195France · FranceIn the 1190s, crusader infantry and crossbowmen in France, England, and elsewhere were commonly equipped with round-crowned, wide-brimmed kettle helmets, balancing head protection with visibility and ventilation. It was one of the main mass-produced armor types for expeditionary forces.
- 1191–1200Levant · LevantDuring the Siege of Acre in 1191 and subsequent Levant operations, crusader infantry wore kettle helmets in large numbers against arrows and stones. Their open structure performed better than full helms in hot climates, and they were also imitated and adopted by some Ayyubid troops.
Sources
- Arms and Armour of the Crusading Era 1050-1350: Western Europe and the Crusader States — David Nicolle (1999)