Norse Helmets

By Crusader1307

Despite popular thought, the iconic Viking (or Norse) “Horned Helmet” - is more of imagination that actuality. Several theories have risen from why Vikings were given such imaginative headgear. One theory states that with The Celtic Migrations of the Mid-Bronze Age (with trade and commerce flourishing between Culture), such helmets may have become confused with Norse Culture. Others cite a “Barbarian” influence that assigned the headgear to ALL “non-civilized” peoples (at least as per Ancient Rome's viewpoint). In reality, Viking's were an adaptive and adopted peoples. Much of their arms were taken during conquest or through trade. The most common Viking helmet was the Conical and Nasal helmets. Vikings began to develop their own helmets based of of these models. With these, a reinforced front “eye piece” was set on the front to provide protection to the upper face. Some even adapted a Byzantine face mask piece as well. The resurgence of “Horned Helmets” were further propagated in the 18th and 19th Centuries by Germanic Opera (again as a nod to the “fierce and barbarian nature of their myths and legends).