Surviving 1300-1430 60 with Center Hinged Visors Bascinets with center hinged visors have the greatest variation in shape of all surviving bascinets. This variation comes in the shape of the neck, the form of the point, shape of the cheeks as well as the angle and depth of the lower edges. These bascinets fall into two broad groups. There are those with straight necks and those with flared necks. Despite the variation within this form of there are certain features they have in common. The most obvious commonality is the evidence of a central hinge for a . This is typically composed of three elements; two lugs and some form of catch. The reason for two lugs is to help the visor remain straight. If there was a single lung, as may be found on bascinets equipped with nasals, the visor could hang askew and block the wearer’s vision, thus rendering him vulnerable to attack. Virtually all bascinets with center hinged visors have vervelles and holes for the lining which follow the edges. The vervelles may be of the tubular form or of the more common post style. The first group of bascinets with centrally hinged visors have straight necks aand tend to have very shallow cheeks which typically reach downward only to the level of the mouth. There are some with much deeper cheeks but these only extend a bit below the jaw line. The skulls of these bascinets may be blunt, acutely pointed or anywhere in between. The cheeks may be angular or rounded and the lower edges may be parallel to the shoulders and only extend as far as the mouth or they may be angled downward and extend below the jaw line. Within this group of center hinged bascinets with straight necks there are also some with acutely pointed skulls. Some of these skulls have an acute point with a sweep like the top of an onion. The cheeks typically are fairly shallow and extend downward to the level of the mouth. The bottom edge and rear meet at nearly a right angle. A line a vervelles and holes for the lining follow the edges. The second group of bascinets with center hinged visors all have strongly flared bottom edges. The bascinets with the flared edges invariably have much deeper cheeks and all reach at least to the jawline and typically much farther downward onto the neck. It is because of this depth that the flared neck is necessary. Within this group there are basically four styles that are present. The first style is an exaggerated form of the last style of bascinets with straight necks. The points are even more onion like in appearance and their necks sweep dramatically. This accentuated the onion shape forming something resembling a mosque dome. The second style often has a tall centrally located point and deep cheeks which reach downward past the jawline. The lower edge of the face opening typically projects forward to create an almost heart shaped face opening. The vervelle and lining holes are set back from the face opening. The final style is identical in form to many of the bascinets presented previously. They have a tall, centrally located ppoint and deep cheeks which reach downward toward the shoulders and have forward projecting lower edges. Unlike the previous examples these have no vervelle holes or lining holes and simply have a few widely spaced holes for a lining strap similar those found on of the mid-15th century. There is no evidence of this style ever being equipped with visors.

Surviving Armour 1300-1430 61 Bascinets with Straight Necks 30. Royal Armouries, Leeds, Inventoryr Number: RA IV.467 Date: 1370-1380 Nationality: German. Height: 10" (254 mm) Width: Bascinet Weight: 3.13 lbs. (1.42 kg) Visor Weight: 1 lb. (.46 kg) Provenance: Presented by the National Art Collection fund, 1945. From the Karl Gimbel collection, Berlin, annd purchased by Sir Edward Barry ffrom the Whawell collection, in about 1926. Publications: European Armour in the Tower of London, Arthur Richard Dufty (Plate LXXIII). The and the Blast Furnace, Alan Williams (p. 344); A Record of European Armour and Arms Through Seven Centuries. Guy Francis Laking (Fig. 278); Medieval Warfare Sourcebook: Warfare in Western Christendom. David Nicolle; Arms and Armour of tthe Medieval Knight. David Edge & John Miles Paddock.

This is a small rounded bascinet with conical visor, mounted with a center hinge mechanism. The center hinge mechanism has a keyhole shaped slot that fitted over a corresponding shaped lug in the bascinet. There are at least three additional holes in the skull for missing parts of the hinge attachment. A total of four holes is unusual and this probably indicates the visor does not belong to the bascinet. This visor is pierced with fifteen breaths on both sides of the visor, instead of only on the right. The very tip of the visor’s blunted “nose” is pierced with a circular hole, and there are two holes side by side at the center of the bottom edge of the visor. At the back edge of the visor, there is a hole on each side just below the level of the ocularia. The eye slits have serrated edges, with an enlarged opening in the center of each side of the ocularia. The mouth opening is divided into two sections and there is a distinct medial crease dividing the visor into two halves. This visor has a nearly identical mate in the Bargello. (#59) Interestingly on both this visor and the Bargello example the hole on each side of the snout just above the bottom edge of the “mouth” opening is a bit larger than the other breaths. This bascinet was originally equipped Surviving Armour 1300-1430 62 with five triangular lugs (of which, two survive). These were probably designed to deflect a sword away from the vulnerable leather band, to which the was sewn. The thirteen original vervelles on this bascinet are tubular and are approximately one inch (25mm)) in length. Like most of its type this bascinet has two rows of holes for the lining and the vervelles. Furthermore there are two additional holes between the lower edge and the lining holes set at each side at the bottom of the face opening. The right hole is filled with a river and polished flush with the surface of the helm. Williams found the to have been made from low carbon steel.10 The surface of this bascinet is in fairly good condition, although lightly pitted. The bottom edge of the bascinet is eaten away up to the level of the lining attachment holes, and there is a broken away section of the bottom of the visor in two places.

10 Alan Williams, The Knight and the Blast Furnace (Leiden: Brill, 2003) 344. Surviving Armour 1300-1430 63

Surviving Armour 1300-1430 64 31. Cantonal Museum of History, Castle Valeria, Sion, Switzerland Inventory Number: MV30-83 Date: 1350-1370. Nationality: Probably Swiss.11 Height: 10.63” (270mm) Width: 8.27” (210mm) Depth: 8.66” (220mm) Weight: 3.31lbs (1.5kg) Provenance: Acquired in 1883 Publications: A Record of European Armour and Arms Through Seven Centuries, Guy Francis Laking (Fig. 286). The Knight and the Blast Furnace, Alan Williams (p. 339); The Metaallurgy of Medieval Arms and Armour, Alan Williams; Die Ritterliche Beewaffnung von 1386, Eduard A. Gessler; Musee Cantoal d’Historie Sion: Guide des Collections, Marie Calude Morand. (p.67)

This bascinet has a small rounded crown, and tube shaped vervelles. The ocularia opening was made by carefully cutting the slot and folding it outward, leaving the mmetal attached at the bottom edge. There are perforations at the bottom of the ocularia. The center hinge mechanism is fitted with a paddle system for removal. The bottom point of the visor terminates in a knobbed projection. There is a small amount of file work decoration at the point where this knob joins the visor and on the corners of the ocularia. The visor is divided into two halves with a strong medial ridge and the right section is pierced with eight breaths surrounding a ninth, central breath. Six of these pierce the lower side of the ocular projection— three beneath each eye, and one is between the two eye openings. Dr. Alan Williams stated this helmet was made from wrought iron.12 There are a pair of applied leather loops applied inside the bottom edge of the skull. Based on the position of the ocular in relation to the skull it is evident that the visor and bascinet are not originally a pair but were mated at some later date. The skull bears and armourer’s mark in the form of a semi-circle with a cross. The surface of this bascinet is lightly pitted and darkened with oxidation.

11 Guy Francis Laking A Record of European Armour and Arms Througgh Seven Centuries p. 245. 12 Alan Williams, The Knight and the Blast Furnace (Leiden: Brill, 20033) 339. Surviving Armour 1300-1430 65 Surviving Armour 1300-1430 66 Surviving Armour 1300-1430 67

Surviving Armour 1300-1430 68 32. Royal Armouries, Leeds, England Inventoryr Number: RA IV.6 Date: Circa 1380 (bascinet) and circa 1400 (visor). Nationality: Probably German Height: Width: Helmet Weight: 3.75 lbs. (1.7 kg) Visor Weight: 2.07 lbs. (.94 kg) Provenance: Purchased 1837 from the Sir Charles Brocas collection. Publications: European Armour in the Tower of London, Arthur Richard Dufty (Plate LXXIII). The Knight and the Blast Furnace, Alan Williams (p. 345); A Record of European Armour and Arms Through Seven Centuries. Guy Francis Laking (Fig. 280).

A bascinet with conical visor mounted with a center hinge mechanism. This bascinet is shown in many early works as a side-pivoted bascinet (A Record of European Armour And Arms Through Seven Centuries. Guy Francis Laking #280) however its original form has been recreated by the Royal Armouries with the addition of a center hinge mechanism and the repair of the brow of the visor. The center hinge paddle system was modeled after the one of the bascinet from Veste Coburg. (#40) even including the damaged plume holder. Although the maker on this reproduction may have thought the crushed section was a deliberate design element. The bottom edge of the visor comes to a distinct point and the snout is divided with a strong medial ridge. The mouth opening consists of a flared section with a single slit. On the right side of the visor there are 14 breath holes. There are two rows of holes on the skull for the vervelles and for the attachment of the lining. Strangely, there are some holes that one would not normally expect to find. Near the point where the face opening joins the bottom edge, there are two extra holes on the right and one on the left. These form a third row of holes along the edge. At the top of the vervelle holes on the left side, there are two additional holes that form a third row. A number of the vervelle holes have been filled with rivets. The visor is pierced with twelve breaths on the right side. The item file in the Royal Armouries contains a report on metallurgy by Dr. Alan Williams. It states: “The skull was examined on the lower edge...The carbon content is variable, but probably in the range 0.2- 0.3%; no attempt has been made to harden the steel. The visor was examined on the edge. It is made of wrought iron.” The surface of this bascinet is in good condition though there is some damage. On the bottom edge of the right side of the visor there is a crack as well as some delamination and damage to the upper edge of the snout point. Surviving Armour 1300-1430 69 There is also some damage to the outside corner of the right eye slot, and the point of the skull has been repaired with brazing.

Surviving Armour 1300-1430 70

33. Mielno Wojewodztwo Olsztynskie, Poland Inventory Number: Date: 1350-1400. Nationalityt : Central European Height: Width: Weight: Provenance: Found at Olsztyn, Poland. Publications: Uzbrojenie Wojsk Krzyackich W Prusach W XIV W. I Na Pocztku XV W, Andrzej Nowakowski (Fig. 29); Uzbrojenie w Polsce Średniowiecznej 1350-1450, Andrzej Nadolski (fig. 37); Arms and Armour in the Medieval Teutonic Order’s State, Andrzej Nowakowski.

A low point bascinet which retains some of its vervelles and its edges are lined with holes for attachment of the lining. In the center above the face opening are the hoooks and t-shaped rotating paddle from a center hinge mechanism. This bascinet has several holes rusted in it and is badly damaged. It is pitted with oxidation.

Surviving Armour 1300-1430 71 34. Museo Nazionale di Palazzo Venezia, Rome, Inventory Number: Inv. 751 Date: Circa 1340. Nationality: Possibly Italian or South German Height: Width: Weight: Provenance: Found in Northern Italy, The collection of Prince Ladislaus Odescalchi. Publications: A Record of Euroopean Armour and Arms Through Seven Centuries. Guy Francis Laking (Fig. 269); Moostra Di Armi Antiche, Marcello Terenzi (Fig. 21).

This is a small rounded bascinet that has two hooks for a center hinge visor mechanism. This piece retains six of its original vervelles—three on each side Its edges are pierced with numerous small holes for securing the lining. Above the left ear there is a pair of deliberately punched holes. It is in badly rusted condition and has been crudely patched on the right side. Much of the lower portion of this helm has been removed either to change its form or eaten away by corrosion.

Surviving Armour 1300-1430 72 35. Wallace Collection, London, England Inventory Number: A69 Date: 1390-1410. Nationalityt : Possibly Milanese Height: 10.25" (260mm) Width from point of visor to back of skull: 14.75" (375 mm) Bascinet Weight: 4.44 lbs. (2.01 kg) Visor Weigi ht: 1.81 lbs. (.82 kg) Aventail Weight: 2.75lbs (1.25 kg) Total Weight: 9.06 lbs. (4.11 kg) Provenance: Sir Samuel Rush Meyrick, Brocas collection. Sir Richard Wallace (Acquired 08/1871) Publications: Wallace Collection Catalogues: European Arms and Armour. Volume I: Armour, Sir James Mann (pp. 95-96). A Record of European Armour and Arms Through Seven Centuries, Guy Francis Laking (Fig. 289). The Knnight and the Blast Furnace, Alan Williams (p. 168-9); Arms and Armour of the Medieval Knight. David Edge & John Miles Paddock; The Visoro of a Fourteenth-century Bascinet found at Pevensey Castle, Sir James Mann.

This bascinet with a side-pivoted conical visor is equipped with removable hinge to allow for the removal of the visor. The right side of the visor is pierced with thirty-six breaths. The visor snout is divided with a pronounced medial crease. The aventail was added by Guy Francis Laking and is not original. It is not an authentic aventail, but was haphazardly assembled from authentic mail fragments. Similarly, the visor and the skull were not originally together. The hexagonal vervelles and the visor pivot mechanisms are both restorations. These vervelles resemble the ones of the effigy of the Black Prince. There are two holes, now filled with rivets, in the center of the helm just above the visor where presumably, a center hinge mechanism was once fitted. Williams found this helmet and the visor to have been made from low-carbon steel. He also stated the skull showed “a distinct forging line down the length of the plate, in the center of the section.”13 The surface of this bascinet is bright and is in good condition.

13 Alan Williams, The Knight and the Blast Furnace (Leiden: Brill, 20033) 168-9.

Surviving Armour 1300-1430 73 36. Hungarian National Museum, Budapest, Hungary Inventory Number: 58.7631 Date: 1375-1400. Nationality: Cetral European Height: 11.22” (285 mm) Width: Weight: Provenance: Publications: Arms and Armour. Ferenc Temesvary (Fig. 6).

A bascinet with a conical visor fitted with a center hinge mecchanism. This bascinet is fitted with an almost certainly modern spring pin to hold the visor down. The snout of the visor is divided into four sections by creases. The upper right section is pierced with nine breaths, and the lower two sections are pierced with two each. The mouth is divided into two sections and the edges are decorated with file work. The ocularia are fairly unusual; they are boxed-outward in the manner, however, the outermost point, where the eye openings would typically be, is left closed and the opening is below this. As in several visors, the flap of metal that is often removed to make the slit is bent upward to form what might likened to an awning for the ocularia. The edges of this are decorated with file work in a similar manner to the mouth opening. The visor is extremely short and stubby. The hinge mechanism is riveted to the visor, and to the helmet, with a pair of flush-mounted rivets each. This may indicate the visor and helmet do not belong together. The center hinge mechanism is rectangular where it joins the visor but trapezoidal on the bascinet. The facial area of the bascinet iss composed of second piece added at some unknown date, probably to restore a damaged section of the helm. It is probably fairly recent addition and the visor is of questionable authenticity. The surface of this bascinet is in good condition, although lightly pitted. The surfaces of the visor are bright and clean.

Surviving Armour 1300-1430 74 37. Formerly in the Viscount Astor collection, Heaver Castle, (Private collection, Berlin) Inventory Number: Date: 1400-1410 Nationality: German. Height: Width: Weight: Provenance: Purchased by J. H. Hefner-Alteneck in 1846 frrom G. Wittemann in Geisenheim; Purchased by Viscount Astor at Munich, 6 July, 1904, lot 12; Sold at Sotheby’s May 5, 1983, Lot 33, to an undisclosed telephone bidder. Publications: A Record of European Armour and Arms Through Seven Centuries, Guy Francis Laking (Fig. 282); Sotheby’s Sale Catalog. May 5, 1983. Lot 33

This bascinet with a conical visor has a high pointed crown and retains twenty-two of its original twenty-four vervelles. The visor is mounted with a center hinge mechanism. The visor is pierced with eleven breaths on its right side and is divided into four facets with strong creases. The lower edges of the eye slits, and the mouth protrusion, are serrated. The mouth oopening is made in two halves. The visor hinge is riveted to the skull. Laking (p. 243) and the Sotheby’s catalog tell us this helmet bears traces of having originally been painted with a design of jagged flames on both the visor and the bascinet itself. The Sotheby’s catalog indicates the visor and bascinet are associated. If this is the case it would be a strong indicator the flames were an addition made after the working life of the bascinet. The surface of this bascinet is lightly pitted, although in good condition.