The bascinet came into use in the Middle Ages around the beginning of the 14th century, originally worn without a visor before the addition of the now-iconic pig-face form. Its distinctive projecting, conical visor deflected blows away from the face while its pointed form encouraged the wearer's breath to escape downward, keeping the vision slits clearer. The type superseded the earlier great helm as the battlefield helmet of choice, prized for its genuinely superior flexibility and defensive qualities.
The bascinet evolved in the early 14th century from the simpler cervelliere skullcap, quickly becoming the most widely worn helmet among European knights and professional soldiers through the 14th and 15th centuries. Its visored form, known in German as the Hundsgugel ('hound's muzzle') and in English by the folk names 'pig-face' or 'hounskull,' features a distinctive projecting, conical visor that deflected blows away from the face while the pointed shape encouraged the wearer's breath to escape downward rather than fogging the vision slits. The type's superior mobility and flexibility, compared to the earlier, fully enclosing great helm, made it the dominant battlefield helmet of the age, typically fitted with a mail aventail hanging from vervelles around the base to protect the neck and shoulders.
Part of our Medieval heritage range.
Use for:
- Medieval knightly living history and display
- Museum-style display on a stand
- Medieval-themed home decor and collections
- Historical events and Medieval fairs
- Film and theatre productions set in the Late Medieval period
- Collectors of Medieval helmet forms
