Page 97 - (DK) Smithsinian - Military History: The Definitive Visual Guide to the Objects of Warfare

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Sharply ▶ GREAT HELM In use from the time of the Third
tapered blade Date 1250 –1300 Crusade (1189–92) for about a
century, the cylindrical heaume or
Origin Northern Europe great helm completely enclosed THE CR
Material Iron the wearer’s face, so became
stifling in battle. Narrow visor
slits allowed limited vision.
Red cross crusader badge USADES

The Dreux
family arms

Cross-shaped
plate on front

▲ SWORD POMMEL Enamelled with the Dreux family arms, this
Date 1250 pommel probably came from the sword of Mail aventail
Peter de Dreux, Duke of Brittany. He fought
Origin France or England alongside Louis IX of France at the disastrous
Material Iron, enamel Battle of Mansourah in 1250, during the
Seventh Crusade.

Flattened diamond-shaped
blade in cross section

▲ “CRUSADER” SWORD Swords with broad blades
Date 12th century and simple cross-guards and
pommels became popular
Origin Western Europe during the Crusades, and were
3
Weight 2 ⁄4lb (1.27kg) used widely throughout Europe.
Length 38in (96.5cm)

Flattened diamond-
section blade
▶ MAIL ARMOR This suit of mail, composed of
Date 1339–65 hundreds of linked iron rings,
has a short hem, and was probably
Origin Austria worn with extra plate protection.
Material Iron The head was protected by a
basinet and a mail aventail.