Morion
Dated: Second half of the 16th century CE
Reading Time: 0:30 min
The morion is a combat helmet that originated in Spain. It was used in many parts of Europe from the mid-16th to the early 17th century.
Its bowl was rounded, and it had a prominent crest that ran from the front to the back along the top. The crest was designed to strengthen the helmet. The brim of the helmet was shaped to protect the head and neck without obstructing vision. The brim curved upwards to a point at the front and back. This gave the helmet its characteristic boat shape.
The morion was typically made from steel or iron, offering robust protection during combat.
Later versions featured cheek guards to protect soldiers from sword blows to the side of the face.
Characteristic Features:
The morion could be easily recognised because of two features:
– its boat shape, when seen from the side
– a prominent crest at the top, from the front to the back.
Parts of a Morion Helmet
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The main parts of a morion helmet:
– Bowl: The main body of the helmet that covered the top of the head.
– Crest: The distinctive raised ridge from the front to the back of the helmet, often used for decoration or as a symbol of rank.
– Brim: The edge around the bottom of the helmet.
