Early Middle Ages and Viking helmets
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Early medieval helmets and Viking helmets are among the most fascinating artefacts in medieval military history. The range of surviving examples spans from simple lamellar helmets from the 5th century to elaborately decorated showpieces such as the Valsgärde helmet – and it is precisely these archaeological finds that form the basis for the replicas you will find here. The range comprises 50 helmets from manufacturers such as Battle Merchant, Lord of Battles and House of Warfare, with steel thicknesses ranging from 1.0 to 2.0 mm and prices from around €59 to €588.
Viking helmets historically: between myth and archaeological evidence
The horned Viking is one of the most persistent misconceptions in popular history. Archaeologically, it simply does not hold water: the only fully preserved helmet that can be unequivocally attributed to the Viking Age is the Gjermundbu helmet, found in Norway in 1943 and dated to the 9th to 10th centuries. It features no horns, no wings – but a simple, conical skullcap with characteristic eye and nose protection.
Horns on helmets are indeed documented – but as ritual headdresses from the Bronze Age, i.e. millennia before the Vikings. The famous horned helmets from Veksø (Denmark) date from around 900 BC and had nothing to do with military equipment. The popularisation of the horn as a ‘typical Viking symbol’ stems primarily from romanticised 19th-century paintings.
The term ‘Viking helmet’ strictly refers to helmets used between approximately 800 and 1100 AD in the region comprising modern-day Scandinavia, the British Isles and Northern Europe. Helmet types from this era – the lamellar helmet, the visor helmet and the nasal helmet – are attested by archaeological and written sources.
A brief aside on a frequently asked question: the ‘number 70 on the back of a Viking helmet’ is not a historical phenomenon. It originates from the TV series Vikings and has no archaeological basis.
Which helmet is suitable for which purpose?
Helmets made from 1.0 mm steel are suitable for display, as decorative pieces or props. The surfaces are often carefully finished and look authentic – they are not designed for active use in combat. A good starting point if you want to fill a shelf or a helmet stand.
Helmets made from 1.2 to 1.6 mm steel offer a good balance between weight and protection. They are suitable for medieval markets, costume events and light LARP – without the full weight of a stage combat helmet. The Norman nasal helmet with 1.6 mm steel, from ~€59, is a classic entry-level model for this category.
For re-enactment and living history, historical accuracy is key: the model (e.g. Gjermundbu, Coppergate, Valsgärde 8) should be appropriate for the era and region being portrayed. For active display combat – whether HEMA, Buhurt or display combat groups – 2.0 mm steel and explicit certification of suitability for display combat are mandatory. Many models in our range meet this requirement.
Historical models: From Gjermundbu to Valsgärde
Vendel period
The Vendel period in Sweden is regarded as the formative era for many early medieval helmet designs. In ship burials such as Valsgärde and Vendel, richly decorated helmets with cheek guards, chain mail and figurative decoration were found. These pieces had a significant influence on helmet design during the subsequent Viking Age.
Coppergate Helmet (York)
The Coppergate helmet, found in York (England), is one of the best-preserved early medieval finds from the Anglo-Saxon region. It consists of several steel segments, bears a Latin brass inscription and is fitted with a complete chain mail coif. It is available in our range with riveted and non-riveted coifs in 1.6 mm steel.
Gjermundbu helmet (Norway)
The Gjermundbu helmet, found in 1943 in the Ringerike district of Norway, is the only fully preserved Viking helmet in the world. It consists of four metal plates with a circumscribing browband and a characteristic visor. It serves as the direct model for many replicas in the range – with and without chain mail, in 1.6 and 2.0 mm steel.
Valsgärde 8 (Sweden)
The helmet from the ship burial Valsgärde 8 in Uppland, Sweden, is one of the most elaborate early medieval helmet finds. With its ornate face guard, figurative decoration and complete chain mail, it is a showpiece of the Vendel period. The replica in our range costs €588 and is aimed at collectors and serious re-enactors.
Strength and construction: What makes a good early medieval helmet?
| Steel thickness | Suitability | Typical models |
|---|---|---|
| 1.0 mm | Decoration | Norman helmet 'St. Wenceslas', light nasal helmets |
| 1.2 mm | Lightweight LARP | Rus helmet with horsehair crest |
| 1.6 mm | LARP / Reenactment | Coppergate helmet, clasp helmets, Norman nasal helmet |
| 2.0 mm | Exhibition combat | Gjermundbu, Viking visor helmet, nasal helmet with cheek flaps |
| Carbon steel | Historical / Professional | Selected models from Battle Merchant and Lord of Battles |
In addition to the thickness of the steel, the chain mail plays an important role: it protects the neck, cheeks and shoulders and is historically documented for many types of helmets. The range includes helmets with riveted chain mail (more labour-intensive to manufacture, more robust) and unriveted chain mail (lighter, more affordable). Cheek guards offer lateral protection and are particularly common on nasal helmets and later types. For re-enactment use: The explicit designation as ‘suitable for re-enactment’ is not a marketing term, but a quality feature that indicates material strength and workmanship.
An overview of the main helmet types of the Early Middle Ages
Spangenhelm
The clasp helmet is the most widespread helmet type of Late Antiquity and the Early Middle Ages. It consists of a metal headband, vertical clasps and intervening filler plates. This construction method allowed for flexible adjustment to different head sizes and was resource-efficient to manufacture. Our range includes clasp helmets from approx. €101 in 1.6 and 2.0 mm steel.
Gjermundbu-type helmet
The spectacle helmet takes its name from the characteristic eye and nose guard, which resembles stylised spectacles. It is closely associated with the Gjermundbu find and is considered the most typical ‘Viking helmet’ in an archaeological sense. The protective area is concentrated on the forehead, eyes and nose – cheek flaps and chain mail complete the overall protection.
Nasal helmet & Coppergate type
The nasal helmet, with its simple, drooping nasal (nose guard), was the Norman standard of the 11th and 12th centuries – famously depicted on the Bayeux Tapestry. The Coppergate helmet represents the Anglo-Saxon counterpart: more elaborately constructed, with a brass inscription and full chainmail. Eastern variants such as the Byzantine helmet and the Rus helmet add further early medieval traditions to the range.
Frequently asked questions about early medieval helmets, answered briefly
The pointed or high crown of many early and high medieval helmets had a clear functional purpose: a domed or tapered shape deflects sword and axe blows to the side, rather than transferring the full force to the skull. The same principle applies to modern safety helmets. This design is particularly common in lamellar helmets.
The morion is a 16th-century helmet that was particularly common amongst Spanish conquistadors and European Renaissance infantrymen. It is characterised by a high crest at the top and two distinctive, upward-curving brim tips. It has no connection to the Early Middle Ages or the Viking Age – it belongs to the category of Renaissance helmets.
The general Latin term for a helmet was galea. The best-known types of Roman helmet are the Coolus helmet (a simple hemisphere, of Celtic origin), the Montefortino helmet (an older Republican type), and the so-called Imperial Gallic and Weisenau helmets of the Imperial period, featuring pronounced neck protection and cheek guard segments. For Roman re-enactment, please refer to the Ancient Armour category.
The German steel helmet of the First World War was officially known as the Stahlhelm M16 (Model 1916) and replaced the leather spiked helmets from 1916 onwards. France used the Adrian helmet (Casque Adrian), whilst Britain used the Brodie helmet (also known as the ‘Tommy helmet’). These helmets are not part of our medieval range, but are frequently enquired about in connection with the history of protective helmets.
Archaeological evidence confirms, above all, the Gjermundbu helmet (Norway, 9th/10th century) as a type of visor helmet. In addition, written sources and pictorial representations point to spangenhelms and nasal helmets, as were also common among the Normans and Anglo-Saxons. The Coppergate helmet from York shows an Anglo-Saxon variant. Horned helmets belong to the Bronze Age, not the Viking Age.
To go with the helmet: armour components for a complete early medieval set
An early medieval helmet only comes into its own within the context of a complete outfit. The classic combination for Viking re-enactment consists of a helmet, chainmail and a gambeson as a cushioning underlay – the latter can also be worn without chainmail and provides protection for LARP activities. A round Viking shield is added as the central defensive component.
On the offensive side, Viking axes and Viking swords complete the set in a historically accurate manner. Those seeking a complete outfit will find suitable Viking clothing for men and Viking clothing for women in the shop. For other periods, it is worth taking a look at High Medieval helmets and Late Medieval helmets as related categories.
For storage and display, we recommend a helmet stand – it protects the helmet from deformation whilst making it an eye-catcher in any room or camp.
Whether you’re looking for your first spiked helmet for a medieval camp or a detailed Valsgärde replica for your collection – have a look around the category and feel free to use our telephone advice service if you have any questions regarding thickness, suitability for exhibition combat or historical accuracy.
Frequently asked questions
The spangenhelm is a specific design: it consists of a browband, vertical spangen and filler plates – and was the most widespread type of helmet from the 5th to the 12th century, well beyond the Viking Age. 'Viking helmet', on the other hand, refers to helmets used during the Viking Age (c. 800–1100 AD) – including visor helmets such as the Gjermundbu type, nasal helmets and, indeed, lamellar helmets. The two terms therefore overlap, but are not synonymous.
For active reenactment combat – whether Buhurt, HEMA free combat or organised reenactment combat groups – helmets with at least 2.0 mm steel are recommended. It is also important that the helmet is explicitly certified as ‘suitable for reenactment combat’; you will find this information directly in the product name for the relevant models. For reenactment without full-contact combat, 1.6 mm is often sufficient.
No – this is a widespread myth with no archaeological basis. The only fully preserved Viking helmet (Gjermundbu, Norway, 9th/10th century) shows no horns whatsoever. Horned helmets are indeed attested from the Bronze Age, but were used as ritual headdresses. The association of horns with Vikings dates back to romanticised depictions of the 19th century.
For most helmets in our range, the head circumference is given in centimetres – simply measure the circumference just above your ears with a tape measure. Many models are available in sizes S, M and L. For helmets with adjustable inner padding, the size range is slightly more flexible. If in doubt, our telephone advisory service will be happy to help.
Yes, most helmet models in our range are available both with and without a chain mail coif – or exclusively without. A chain mail coif protects the neck, cheeks and shoulders and is historically documented for many helmet types, but is not strictly necessary for decoration or light LARP. For stage combat, however, the combination with a coif is strongly recommended.