Long before knights in plate armor, the warriors of Late Antiquity and the Early Middle Ages wore a simple, practical helmet: the spangenhelm. Built from several plates held together by metal bands, it was easy to make, strong, and by the 6th century the most common helmet design in Europe. Interest in it is growing fast, and in LARP it is a great choice for northern warriors and early medieval characters.
In this article, we look at how the spangenhelm was built, where it came from, and how to use it for your character. For an overview of all medieval helmet types, see our guide to Types of Medieval Helmets.
What Is a Spangenhelm?
The spangenhelm, or segmented helmet, is a helmet of Late Antiquity and the Early Middle Ages. The name is German and refers to the metal strips, the spangen, that join the plates of the bowl. Typically, several trapezoidal or triangular plates, often four to six, are riveted to these bands and form a conical or rounded bowl. A brow band holds the lower edge together.
Many spangenhelms also had extras:
- cheek plates, often attached to the leather lining rather than with hinges;
- a nasal bar on some later examples;
- a mail curtain for the neck;
- on some examples, a full face mask.
History of the Spangenhelm
The spangenhelm reached Western Europe from the steppes north of the Black Sea, spread by nomadic Iranian peoples such as the Scythians and Sarmatians. Sarmatian warriors with segmented helmets are shown on Trajan's Column in Rome, from around 110 AD. By the 6th century, the spangenhelm was the most common helmet design in Europe and was also widely used in the Middle East.
Its advantages were clear: it was effective and relatively easy to produce. Its weaknesses were the partial protection of the head and the many joints in its construction. It was gradually replaced by similar helmets with one-piece skulls, such as the nasal helmet, then by kettle hats and eventually the great helm. Still, helmets of the spangenhelm type were used for a long time, and some of the nasal helmets on the 11th-century Bayeux Tapestry seem to be built the same way.
A related construction is found in the northern ridge helmets, which include Scandinavian Vendel-era helmets and Anglo-Saxon helmets such as the Coppergate Helmet. The fragmentary Shorwell helmet, a 6th-century spangenhelm from the Isle of Wight now in the British Museum, is the first evidence for this type in early Anglo-Saxon England.
Spangenhelm and Its Relatives
| Helmet | Period | Construction | Face |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spangenhelm | Late Antiquity to Early Middle Ages | Plates joined by riveted bands | Open, often cheek plates |
| Ridge helmet | Late Antiquity to Early Middle Ages | Two halves joined by a central ridge | Open, cheek plates, sometimes a face guard |
| Nasal helmet | 11th to 13th century | One-piece or segmented bowl with a nose bar | Open with a nasal |
Pros and Cons of a Spangenhelm for LARP
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Excellent vision and hearing | The face and neck stay open |
| The face is free for roleplay | Less protection than later helmets |
| Strong early medieval and northern look | Not suitable for late medieval knight characters |
| Comfortable for a whole day of play | Needs a coif or hood to complete the look |
Which Characters Fit a Spangenhelm?
- Northmen and tribal warriors: pair it with a leather harness and a hood. See our Barbarian and Northmen collection.
- Early medieval chiefs and kings: a decorated spangenhelm with gilded bands and cheek plates.
- Late Roman and Migration Period soldiers: for settings inspired by the end of the ancient world.
- Steppe riders: a tall conical spangenhelm with a mail curtain.
A medieval hood under or with the helmet protects the neck and adds to the early medieval look.
Order a Custom Spangenhelm
We do not have a spangenhelm in our shop yet, but we can make one to order: conical or rounded, with cheek plates, a nasal, or a face mask, plain or richly decorated, in your colors. A polyurethane helmet is much lighter than a steel one: our helmets weigh about 1 to 1.5 kg. 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, or see our Group Orders to equip a whole warband. Our ready-made helmets are in the LARP Helmets collection.
Related reading: the spangenhelm was followed by the nasal helmet.
