High Middle Ages helmets
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High Medieval helmets are among the most striking artefacts in European military history – from the simple nasal helmets of the Norman horsemen to the fully enclosed pot helmets of the Crusaders, they reflect two centuries of military development and social change. In this category, you will find replicas made from carbon steel and steel, crafted to withstand stage combat, for re-enactment, LARP and historical performances from the 11th to the 13th century.
An overview of the main helmet types of the High Middle Ages
Nasal helmet
The nasal helmet is the classic helmet of the Normans, Anglo-Saxons and early Crusaders. Its conical shell with the characteristic nose guard (nasal) protected the forehead and nose, but left the mouth and cheeks exposed. It was usually worn directly over a chainmail coif and is the most widespread helmet type of the early High Middle Ages.
Spangenhelm
The clasp helmet is a construction made up of several metal segments held together by clasps (brackets). It forms a link between antiquity and the High Middle Ages and was used by Normans, Crusaders and Byzantine warriors alike. Often supplemented by cheek guards and a chainmail coif.
Pot helmet
The pot helmet emerged around 1180–1200 and was the first type of helmet to completely cover the head. It was particularly widespread among the Crusaders and is regarded as the symbol of the High Medieval knight. Its characteristic features include an almost cylindrical shape with eye slits and breathing holes.
Bowl helmet
The basin helmet (also known as the iron hat with a brim) was a lightweight, hemispherical helmet frequently worn by foot soldiers, archers and crusaders. It left the face uncovered and was often combined with chain mail. In the High Middle Ages, it was a widespread alternative to the heavy pot helmet.
Cranium cap
Strictly speaking, the nasal cap is not a combat helmet in its own right, but an under-helmet – a simple hemispherical iron cap worn beneath the pot helmet or basin helmet to provide additional protection. Worn on its own, it serves as a lightweight helmet for LARP or simple historical re-enactments. Regional variants such as the Italo-Norman nasal helmet complete the range.
High Medieval helmets in a historical context – wearing styles and combinations
Vendel helmet – the precursor
The Vendel helmet (also known as the Vendel period, named after Swedish grave finds) is an early medieval helmet type featuring cheek flaps, neck protection and often a nasal bar or face grille. It is regarded as the precursor to the High Medieval spangenhelm and was typical of Germanic and Scandinavian warriors during the Migration Period. You will find corresponding replicas in the Early Medieval and Viking helmet range.
Nasal helmet – Normans and early Crusaders
The nasal helmet established itself as the dominant helmet type. Norman horsemen wore it over a chainmail coif, often directly on top of the gambeson. The combination of padding, chainmail coif and nasal helmet formed the typical protective system of the early High Middle Ages. The depiction of the Norman knight wearing a nasal helmet is one of the most common re-enactment scenarios.
Spangenhelm and the first Crusader helmets
The spangenhelm remains widespread, whilst the first Crusader variants emerge. Typical layering: gambeson as a padding layer, over which a chainmail shirt with a chainmail coif, then the actual helmet. This layering explains why helmets historically appeared rather small – much of the protection lay beneath them.
The emergence of the pot helmet
The classic pot helmet developed from the cylindrical Crusader helmet. It is worn over a chainmail coif and a skull cap – the combination of all three elements constitutes a Crusader’s full protective kit. The pot helmet was particularly common during the Crusades and is the most frequently used re-enactment helmet for depictions of Crusaders.
Transition to closed helmet designs
With the advent of fully enclosed helmets, nasal helmets fell out of use around the mid-13th century. The basin cap remained in use as a lighter alternative. This development led on to late medieval helmets such as the dog-head helmet or the visor helmet – a different category with different requirements in terms of material and construction.
Spangenhelm and basin helmet – continuity from the Early Middle Ages
- Segmented construction comprising 4–6 metal plates, joined by clasps
- A technological bridge from the Early Middle Ages to the High Middle Ages
- Widely used by Normans, Crusaders and Byzantine warriors
- Often combined with cheek guards and chain mail
- Padded inlay for comfort during re-enactment
- Joining technique (rivets) recognisable as a mark of quality
- Hemispherical, lighter than a pot helmet, face remains uncovered
- Often combined with chain mail made from round rings or riveted flat rings
- Riveted flat rings: historically more accurate, sturdier, heavier
- Round-ring chainmail: lighter, more flexible, cheaper
- Typical combination in the High Middle Ages: skull cap + basin helmet + chain mail
- Suitable for foot soldiers, archers, and depictions of crusaders
Anyone aiming for a complete Crusader costume should combine a basin helmet or pot helmet with chainmail and chainmail coifs. The skull cap serves as a padding and protective layer beneath the actual helmet.
Material thicknesses and suitability for stage combat – what the specifications mean
| Thickness | Gauge | Suitability | Typical helmets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.3 mm steel | ~18 gauge | Decorative / lightweight | 13th-century pot helmet (decorative quality), lightweight LARP helmets |
| 1.6 mm steel | 16 gauge | LARP / light stage combat | Nasal helmets, Crusader helmets, Archer’s helmet |
| 2.0 mm steel | 14 gauge | Exhibition combat | Basin helmets, spiked helmets, crusader helmets, nasal helmets |
| Carbon steel | Variable | Historical / Reenactment | High-quality replicas – harder and more durable than standard structural steel |
The gauge system originates from the Anglo-American metal industry and indirectly indicates the sheet thickness – the smaller the gauge number, the thicker the material. In practice, this means: 16 gauge (1.6 mm) is suitable for LARP and light re-enactment combat, whilst 14 gauge (2 mm) is the standard for serious re-enactment combat. Carbon steel is more resilient than standard structural steel at the same thickness. Helmets with leather linings or padded inlays sit more securely and offer better protection against impacts – a feature that is particularly highlighted on the product pages for stage combat helmets.
Price ranges and features – which helmet is right for you
Crests from approx. €53 and simple nasal helmets offer an uncomplicated introduction to High Medieval re-enactment. Ideal for first visits to medieval markets, LARP beginners and costumes where the helmet is not the focal point. Even in this price range, 2 mm crests suitable for display combat are available.
Here you will find 2 mm steel nasal helmets suitable for stage combat (including Italo-Norman variants and the St. Wenceslas nasal helmet), lamellar helmets with padded inlays, and early Crusader pot helmets. This segment covers most re-enactments from the 11th to the early 13th century.
Basin-shaped helmets with chain mail made from riveted flat rings (up to approx. €160) and complete Crusader helmets made from 2 mm steel (up to approx. €185) for demanding re-enactments. These helmets are suitable for active re-enactment combat and feature historically plausible levels of detail. Complement them with a gambeson, chainmail and a helmet stand for proper storage.
Nasal helmet – the helmet of the Normans and Crusaders
The nasal helmet is immediately recognisable by two features: the conical or hemispherical skull cap and the downward-projecting nasal bar (nasal), which protected the nose and centre of the forehead. From the 10th to the 13th century, it was the most commonly used helmet in Western Europe – worn by Norman knights on the First Crusade as well as by Anglo-Saxon huscarls at the Battle of Hastings (1066).
Historically, the nasal helmet fell out of use around the mid-13th century, as more enclosed helmet designs such as the pot helmet increasingly took over the role of providing full head protection. The open face section of the nasal helmet was a compromise between field of vision and protection – a compromise that became untenable with the further development of offensive weapons.
The range includes several historically distinct variants: the Italo-Norman nasal helmet with a flatter crown and wide nasal guard, typical of 11th–12th-century South Italian-Norman warriors, and the ‘St. Wencelass’ nasal helmet, based on 10th–11th-century Bohemian sources. Both are made from 2 mm steel and certified for re-enactment combat. In re-enactment combat, the nasal helmet impresses with its good field of vision, low weight and ease of putting on and taking off.
Pot helmet – from crusader helmet to knightly icon
The pot helmet emerged around 1180–1200 as an evolution of the cylindrical crusader helmet and represented a decisive innovation: it covered the entire head without leaving a gap for the face. Narrow vision slits and breathing holes replaced the open visor of the nasal helmet. For those wondering what an ‘old pot helmet’ is – the term refers precisely to this cylindrical archetype of the 12th/early 13th century, before more conical shapes developed in the late 13th century.
In this category, pot helmets are available in two versions: the Crusader pot helmet, circa 1180, made from 2 mm steel with the characteristic early cylindrical shape, suitable for re-enactment combat; and the 13th-century pot helmet, made from 1.3 mm steel, intended for re-enactments and easier wear. The riveting of the individual plates is an important quality feature – intricate riveted joints ensure stability and historical authenticity.
As for whether pot helmets are permitted in re-enactment combat: this depends on the specific rules of the organiser or club. Many re-enactment tournaments generally permit pot helmets, but require a minimum steel thickness of 2 mm and often proof of suitability for re-enactment combat. The 2 mm Crusader pot helmet from this range meets this requirement and is certified accordingly. For purely decorative purposes or light LARP use, the 1.3 mm version is sufficient.
Whether you’re looking for your first nasal helmet for a medieval market or a stage-combat-ready coif with chainmail for re-enactment – in this category you’ll find the right equipment for the 11th to 13th centuries. Browse through the selection, compare material thicknesses and designs, and gear up for your next performance.