HELMUT:
The covering for protection of the head in warfare
has varied in form from the earliest ages onwards, but an
account of the various shapes belongs to the history of
armour. In heraldry the helmet assumed an important place
as an appendage to the shield, for on this was fixed the
crest. Originally there seems to have been no special
distinction as regards the forms of the helmet; they
simply followed the customary shape of the period, and
were drawn sideways; but in Elizabeth’s reign it would
appear that certain kinds of helmets were assigned to
different degrees of nobility.
I. The
sovereign’s was to be of burnished gold, affronty, i.e.
full-faced, with six bars, or grilles, and lined with
crimson.
II. The helmets
of dukes, marquesses, earls, viscounts, and barons, were to
be composed of silver or polished steel, with five
gold bars, and lined with crimson. According to some
authorities they should be placed neither affronty nor in
profile, but between those positions; but there seem to be
conflicting directions, and the practice varied.
III. Baronets’
and knights’ helmet were to be affronty and open, but
supplied with a visor. They are supposed to be formed of
steel ornamented with gilding, and usually lined with
crimson.
IV. The helmets
of esquires and private gentlemen were to be placed in
profile, with the visor or beaver closed; to be of steel,
but enriched with gold. These are drawn after various
patterns however, the only point being that the visor should
be closed, whence they are termed close helmets. The French
timbre includes the helmet and all that belongs to it. For
the appurtenances it is supposed we are indebted to the
tournaments, and they consist of the crest, the wreath, the
supporters, the mantle, ribbons or feathers, and the scroll.
It should be
added that helmets are seldom, if ever, found over the
shields of bishops (except over that of the Bishop of
Durham, to represent his temporal dignity), the mitre taking
its place; or over that of women, except in the case of a
sovereign. More than one helmet may be placed over the same
shield, but it is rare. Helmets, however, are also
occasionally borne as charges, and generally the esquire’s
or close helmet is intended. In blazoning, however, there is
frequently a reference to the visor (fr. viziere, or garde
vizure), or beaver (old fr. beauvoir); the modern fr. mezail
is also used. When this is up it is supposed to be a knight’s
helmet, when down an esquire’s. The portion which rests
upon the shoulders, and protects the neck, is termed the
gorged. The helmet has sometimes plumes of feathers (q.v.).
