A chief of a Frankish tribe, wearing full battle armor. He stands looking to his right holding a long spear, Germanic spear, in his left hand and a short axe in his right. A decorated shield rest on his left hip and a cape rests on his shoulders. His hair is in long braids and his helmet is tall and pointed, resembling a crown. His sandals wrap around his leg up to his knee.

A Frankish Chief in Full Armor

A chief of a Frankish tribe, wearing full battle armor. He stands looking to his right holding a long…

"A plume composed of feathers arranged in imitation of the feathers on the head of the heron, and worn on helmets or by ladies as a part of their head-dress, etc."-Whitney, 1902

Aigret

"A plume composed of feathers arranged in imitation of the feathers on the head of the heron, and worn…

"A plate of iron worn over the mail to protect the shoulders of a man-at-arms, before the introduction of plate-armor for the body. Image: Ailette with armorial bearings, middle of 13th century."-Whitney, 1902

Ailette

"A plate of iron worn over the mail to protect the shoulders of a man-at-arms, before the introduction…

"The apex was a cap worn by the Flamines and Salii at Rome." — Anthon, 1891

Apex

"The apex was a cap worn by the Flamines and Salii at Rome." — Anthon, 1891

An array of miscellaneous ancient armors. The image depicts (1) a cuirass, often referred to as a coat of mail, (2) a helmet, (3) the shield, and (4), the greaves.

Arms and Armor

An array of miscellaneous ancient armors. The image depicts (1) a cuirass, often referred to as a coat…

"The Helm of Baronet and Knights is of steel, garnished with silver, and standing affronté; the vizor is raised, and without bars."—Aveling, 1891

Helm of Baronet

"The Helm of Baronet and Knights is of steel, garnished with silver, and standing affronté; the…

Basinets

Basinets

Basinets

Illustration of Saint Boniface, Apostle of Germany, blesses and converts several people in Germania.Men and women kneel in front of the saint. Several of the men are wearing horned helmets. Two clergy follow behind Saint Boniface, carrying the crucifix.

Saint Boniface Converts Many in Germania

Illustration of Saint Boniface, Apostle of Germany, blesses and converts several people in Germania.Men…

The heraldic crest of Cape.

Crest of Cape

The heraldic crest of Cape.

Casque with nasal and mail hood.

Casque

Casque with nasal and mail hood.

This engraving of the Coat of Arms with the Cock was created by German artist Albrecht Dürer. It is a type of Renaissance Heraldry art with rooster standing on a helmet with a shield of a lion right below.

The Coat of Arms with the Cock

This engraving of the Coat of Arms with the Cock was created by German artist Albrecht Dürer. It…

Birds for the most part white, tinged with sulphury yellow or rose-color, and with elegant recurved crests resembling helmets.

Cockatoo

Birds for the most part white, tinged with sulphury yellow or rose-color, and with elegant recurved…

"Crest-wreath; Probably of Lord Willoughby de Eresby."—Aveling, 1891

Crest-Wreath

"Crest-wreath; Probably of Lord Willoughby de Eresby."—Aveling, 1891

The Arms of Death is an engraving that was created by German artist Albrecht Dürer in 1503. It shows a woman standing behind a helmet that is topped with eagle wings and a large skull on the bottom.

The Arms of Death

The Arms of Death is an engraving that was created by German artist Albrecht Dürer in 1503. It…

"Denarius of the earliest kind: Having on the obverse a personification of Rome as a warrior with helmet; and on the reverse, a chariot drawn by four horses." — Chambers' Encyclopedia, 1875

Denarius

"Denarius of the earliest kind: Having on the obverse a personification of Rome as a warrior with helmet;…

"The diving dress envelops the whole body of the diver, the upper portion a being the "helmet," the intermediate portion b the "breast-plate," and the lower portion c the "dress." The hose by which the air is supplied is shown at d, and e is the "life" or "signal" line, which is attached to the diver's waist, and by which he makes signals and is hauled to the surface. The water-proof material of which the dress is made is very generally sheet india-rubber covered on both sides with tanned twill to protect the india-rubber from injury." — Encyclopedia Britannica, 1893

Diving Dress

"The diving dress envelops the whole body of the diver, the upper portion a being the "helmet," the…

The diving dress in a rubber suit with a metal helmet, having pieces of glass in front to enable to diver to see.

Diving-dress and diving-helmet

The diving dress in a rubber suit with a metal helmet, having pieces of glass in front to enable to…

Don Quixote wears Mambrino's helmet.

Don Quixote

Don Quixote wears Mambrino's helmet.

"The Helm of Esquires and Gentlemen has the vizor closed, and is placed in profile."—Aveling, 1891

Helm of Esquire

"The Helm of Esquires and Gentlemen has the vizor closed, and is placed in profile."—Aveling,…

French soldier of the sixteenth century

French soldier of the sixteenth century

French soldier of the sixteenth century

"A helmet; a casque. The helmet was originally made of skin or leather, whence is supposed to have arisen its appellation, meaning properly a helmet of dog-skin, but applied to caps or helmets made of the hide of other animals, and even to those which were entirely of bronze or iron. The five following helmets are selected from antique gems, and are engraved of the size of the originals." — Smith, 1873.

Galea

"A helmet; a casque. The helmet was originally made of skin or leather, whence is supposed to have arisen…

A soldier from Gaul carrying a sword in his right hand and shield in his left. He is wearing a cloak and traditional braccae, trousers made from wool. The trousers are fitted around the ankle. The soldier's helmet has horns and ear-pieces. He has long hair and a long mustache.

Gallic Soldier Wearing Trousers and a Horned Helmet

A soldier from Gaul carrying a sword in his right hand and shield in his left. He is wearing a cloak…

"The Great White Horse. By Albrect Dürer. From the engraving on copper." -Heath, 1901

The Great White Horse

"The Great White Horse. By Albrect Dürer. From the engraving on copper." -Heath, 1901

This whip handle is in the shape of a helmet.

Whip Handle

This whip handle is in the shape of a helmet.

Heaume, early 13th century.

Heaume

Heaume, early 13th century.

Heaume, early 15th century.

Heaume

Heaume, early 15th century.

Heaume, early 15th century.

Heaume

Heaume, early 15th century.

The oldest use of helmets was by Ancient Greek soldiers, who wore thick leather or bronze helmets to protect the head from sword blows and arrows.

Helmet

The oldest use of helmets was by Ancient Greek soldiers, who wore thick leather or bronze helmets to…

"The closed helmet seen in profile is appropriated to esquires and gentlemen." -Hall, 1862

Closed Helmet Direct

"The closed helmet seen in profile is appropriated to esquires and gentlemen." -Hall, 1862

"The position of the helmet is a mark of distinction. The direct front view of the grated helmet belongs to sovereign princes and dukes." -Hall, 1862

Grated Helmet Direct

"The position of the helmet is a mark of distinction. The direct front view of the grated helmet belongs…

"The helmet without bars, with the beaver open, standing directly fronting the spectator, denotes a knight." -Hall, 1862

Open Helmet Direct

"The helmet without bars, with the beaver open, standing directly fronting the spectator, denotes a…

"The grated helmet in profile is common to all degrees of peerage under a duke." -Hall, 1862

Grated Helmet Profile

"The grated helmet in profile is common to all degrees of peerage under a duke." -Hall, 1862

"BEAVER. That part of the helmet that defends the sight." -Hall, 1862

Helmet with Beaver

"BEAVER. That part of the helmet that defends the sight." -Hall, 1862

An illustration of a helmet with mesail in two parts.

Hemet with Mesail

An illustration of a helmet with mesail in two parts.

Full-barred helmet, protects entire face.

Helmet, Full Barred

Full-barred helmet, protects entire face.

An example of an ordinary heraldic helmet.

Heraldic Helmet

An example of an ordinary heraldic helmet.

A heraldic helmet with a rounded top.

Heraldic Helmet

A heraldic helmet with a rounded top.

A heraldic helmet made to project in the front.

Heraldic Helmet

A heraldic helmet made to project in the front.

An open helmet, which covers only the head, ears, and neck.

Helmet, Open

An open helmet, which covers only the head, ears, and neck.

A Tilting helmet, used during the reign of Edward III.

Tilting Helmet

A Tilting helmet, used during the reign of Edward III.

""The crested Achilles was pressing on in his chariot." Some idea of the ancient crests may be formed from the following woodcuts, selected from ancient gems." — Anthon, 1891

Crested helmets

""The crested Achilles was pressing on in his chariot." Some idea of the ancient crests may be formed…

Esquire's sidelong helmet, with visor shut.

Heraldry, Esquire

Esquire's sidelong helmet, with visor shut.

King's full-faced helmet, with six bars.

Heraldry, King

King's full-faced helmet, with six bars.

Knight's full-faced helmet of steel. Open visor.

Heraldry, Knight

Knight's full-faced helmet of steel. Open visor.

Five-barred noble's helmet.

Heraldry, Noble

Five-barred noble's helmet.

"Iris puts on her robe of many colors, and tingeing the sky with her bow, seeks the palace of the King fo Sleep." —Bulfinch, 1897

Iris

"Iris puts on her robe of many colors, and tingeing the sky with her bow, seeks the palace of the King…

Two skullcaps used for defense of the head in the 16th century. The caps fit closely to the head. The cap on the left appears to be cloth lined with an iron frame. The cap on the right consists only of the iron frame. Both caps are from the 16th century.

Iron Skullcaps from the 16th Century

Two skullcaps used for defense of the head in the 16th century. The caps fit closely to the head. The…

"And when he had made a gathering throughout the company to the sum of two thousand drachms of silver, he sent it to Jerusalem to offer a sin offering, doing therein very well and honestly, in that he was mindful of the resurrection:" 2 Maccabees 12:43 
<p>Illustration of Judas' soldiers carrying a box full of twelve thousand drachmas of silver. They are handing the box over to the priest at the temple at Jerusalem. The entrance to the temple is framed by two columns.

Judas Sends Twelve Thousand Drachmas of Silver to Jerusalem

"And when he had made a gathering throughout the company to the sum of two thousand drachms of silver,…

The Knight, an engraving from William Caxton's Game and Playe of the Chesse.

The Knight

The Knight, an engraving from William Caxton's Game and Playe of the Chesse.

This leatherhead is an old style leather helmet used by many, some even firefighters. This leather helmet is attached with a battery powered light designed to give the user greater visibility.

Electric Light Head Gear for Personal Wear

This leatherhead is an old style leather helmet used by many, some even firefighters. This leather helmet…

In Norse mythology, there is a war between the Winilers and the Vandals. Odin takes the side of the Vandals and his wife Frigga takes the side of the Winilers. Odin says he will help whoever he sees first the next morning. Frigga makes a plan that the women tie their long hair under their chins like a beard to disguise themselves as men and she moves the bed so Odin faces the window the women are standing near. He names them Long-Beards (Lombards) and helps them to victory.

Lombard Woman

In Norse mythology, there is a war between the Winilers and the Vandals. Odin takes the side of the…

An illustration of a man wearing a helmet handing another man, leaning against a tree, a small tree branch.

Men Holding Tree Branch

An illustration of a man wearing a helmet handing another man, leaning against a tree, a small tree…

"[From left to right:] Cockles, Imperial Volute, Clown Volute, Pholas, Helmet Shell" &mdash; Goodrich, 1859

Mollusca

"[From left to right:] Cockles, Imperial Volute, Clown Volute, Pholas, Helmet Shell" — Goodrich,…

"[From left to right:] Shell from Malabar, Large Mussel, Thorned Murex, Large Helmet Shell." &mdash; Goodrich, 1859

Murcidae

"[From left to right:] Shell from Malabar, Large Mussel, Thorned Murex, Large Helmet Shell." —…

The heraldic crest of Newcombe.

Crest of Newcombe

The heraldic crest of Newcombe.

The heraldic helmet of princes and nobles.

Helm of the Princes and Nobles

The heraldic helmet of princes and nobles.

The feathered crest of Sir Thomas de Saint Quintin.

Crest of Sir Thomas de Saint Quintin

The feathered crest of Sir Thomas de Saint Quintin.

A spanish helmet.

Sallet

A spanish helmet.

A horsemen's helmet viewed from the front.

Sallet

A horsemen's helmet viewed from the front.

A horsemen's helmet viewed from the side.

Sallet

A horsemen's helmet viewed from the side.