No helmet is more closely tied to the image of the crusading knight than the great helm. A flat-topped steel cylinder with narrow eye slits and a cross of breathing holes, it turned its wearer into a faceless warrior marked only by the heraldry on his shield and the crest on his head. Seven centuries later, it is still one of the most recognizable helmets at any LARP event.
In this article, we look at where the great helm came from, how it changed over two centuries, what knights wore with it, and what its strengths and weaknesses are for LARP. For an overview of all medieval helmet types, see our guide to Types of Medieval Helmets.
What Is a Great Helm?
The great helm, also called the heaume, pot helm, bucket helm, or barrel helm, is a fully enclosed helmet of the High Middle Ages. It arose in the late 12th century in the context of the Crusades and remained in use until the 14th century. It covers the whole head and face, with narrow slits for the eyes and small holes for breathing.
Typical features of a great helm are:
- a cylindrical or barrel-shaped body built from several plates riveted together;
- a flat or slightly rounded top on early versions, a tall conical top on later ones;
- a horizontal eye slit, often divided by a vertical reinforcing strip;
- breathing holes, often arranged in a cross or another decorative pattern;
- a padded lining inside, and often a crest or decoration on top.
How the Great Helm Developed
| Stage | Period | Shape | Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early pot helm | Late 12th to early 13th century | Round or flat-topped cap with a face plate, open at the back | Battle |
| Great helm | From c. 1240 to the 14th century | Fully closed cylinder, flat or slightly rounded top | Battle and tournament |
| Sugarloaf helm | Late 13th and 14th century | Tall conical top that deflects blows | Battle and tournament |
| Frog-mouth helm | c. 1400 to the early 16th century | Heavy helm with a raised eye slit, built for jousting | Tournament |
From the Pot Helm to the Great Helm
The first fully enclosed helmets of the late 12th century grew out of simpler caps with a nasal or a face plate. Early versions often left the back of the head open. By about 1240, they had been largely replaced by the true great helm, which enclosed the whole head.
The Sugarloaf Helm
A later variant has a taller, more conical top and is known as the sugarloaf helm. The pointed shape helped blows to glance off. In the early 14th century, flat-topped and conical great helms were used side by side.
From Battlefield to Tournament
In the 14th century, the bascinet took over as the main knightly helmet in war. Great helms were increasingly kept for tournaments, especially after about 1350. Many effigies of the period show a knight wearing a bascinet, with his great helm placed under his head. In the 15th century, the great helm fell out of use in war, but a tournament version, the frog-mouth helm or Stechhelm, developed from it and lasted into the 16th century.
A Famous Example: The Pembridge Helm
One of the best-known surviving great helms belonged to Sir Richard Pembridge, a knight of King Edward III who fought in the Hundred Years' War and died in 1375. The helm is now in the National Museum of Scotland. It shows how a great helm was worn: chains with toggle ends passed through cross-shaped holes to attach the helm to the breastplate, and traces of a leather lining survive, to which a padded fabric lining would have been stitched. Many modern reproductions follow its shape.
What Was Worn Under and on a Great Helm
A great helm was never worn on a bare head. Knights wore a padded lining and a mail coif, often with a small steel cap underneath. In the 14th century, the great helm was often worn over a bascinet, so a knight could take off the heavy helm between fights and still keep his head protected.
On the outside, great helms were often blackened, lacquered, or painted, and they frequently carried decoration: crosses and symbols around the breathing holes, and crests on top. Crests could be crowns, feathers, wings, lions, horns, and other heraldic figures. They made a knight recognizable on the field and became a lasting part of heraldry.
How Heavy Is a Great Helm?
Weights vary with the size of the helm and the thickness of the steel. Modern steel reproductions of the Pembridge type weigh about 2.2 kg in 1.2 mm steel and about 3 kg in 2 mm steel, and other great helm reproductions are sold at up to about 4 kg. A padded lining and a mail coif underneath add to the load.
Our helmets are cast from polyurethane reinforced with fiberglass and weigh about 1 to 1.5 kg. A custom great helm made in our workshop would be much lighter than a steel one.
Pros and Cons of a Great Helm for LARP
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| The most iconic knightly silhouette | Limited vision, especially downward and to the sides |
| Covers the whole head and face | Hearing and speech are muffled, which makes roleplay harder |
| A perfect canvas for crests, crosses, and heraldry | Gets warm on sunny days and in long fights |
| Instantly marks a crusader, templar, or paladin | Takes a moment to put on and take off |
| Faceless look for villains and silent champions | Some events have extra rules for closed helmets |
Tips for Wearing a Great Helm in LARP
- Wear a liner. A padded cap or arming cap absorbs part of the force of a hit, takes up sweat, and keeps the helm in place.
- Take it off between fights. Do what knights did: carry the helm under your arm in camp and put it on for battle. A simple open helmet or hood under it keeps your look complete.
- Check your field of view. Before the event, practice walking and looking down. Many players tilt their head slightly to see the ground.
- Keep crests light. A crest makes a great helm unforgettable, but it adds height and weight. Choose light materials and check your event's safety rules.
- Check the rules. Some games have special rules for closed helmets. Always read them before you go.
Which Characters Fit a Great Helm?
- Crusaders and knights of military orders: the classic choice. Learn more about them in our articles on crusader knights and the knightly orders.
- Paladins and holy champions: a great helm with a cross of breathing holes and a bright finish. See our Paladin collection.
- Heraldic knights: a great helm with a crest in the colors of your house. See our Knight collection.
- Dark knights and faceless villains: a blackened great helm hides the face completely and makes a threatening silhouette.
Our Closed Helmets
We do not have a historical great helm in our shop yet, but two of our helmets offer a similar closed, knightly look. Both are original designs of our team, cast from polyurethane reinforced with fiberglass and painted by hand:
- Lion Knight Helmet: high medieval heraldry with baroque details in dark metal and bronze, part of the Lion Knight line for noble knights and paladins.
- Chaos Warrior Helmet: a closed helmet with a full face cover, round ventilation openings, and a rusty, battle-worn finish for dark warriors.
All our helmets are in the LARP Helmets collection.
Order a Custom Great Helm
Want a real great helm for your crusader, templar, or heraldic knight? We can make one to order: flat-topped or sugarloaf, with a cross of breathing holes, your own crest, and your colors. A polyurethane great helm is much lighter than a steel one, does not rust, and gives you freedom to play with the design. We usually start with a 2D concept, then a 3D sculpt, and then make the mold and the helmet. Tell us your idea on our Custom LARP Armor page. Equipping a whole order of knights? See our Group Orders.
Further Reading
- National Museum of Scotland: The Pembridge Helm
- myArmoury: Spotlight on the 14th Century Bascinet
- Great helm
- Frog-mouth helm