The Association of Medieval Crusaders

Skullcap (Cervellière) (AB)

Information

Skullcap (Cervellière)

The skull cap is a hemispherical, close-fitting helmet made of steel or iron known from the end of the 12th century. The skullcap is worn either on or under a chainmail coif. The rings of the chainmail can also be attached to the skullcap's edge. In addition, a Great Helmet can be worn on top of a skullcap, as a Great Helmet is removed in the fight following the first clash with lances.
The skull cap eventually develops neck protection and pointed visor, and it becomes known as a bascinet. From here, it is the typical ancestor of virtually all later European helmets.

Sources

Skullcap (Cervellière) 01 (A)

Source type (A):
Archaeological object.
Current location:
Historiska museet, Stockholm, Sweden. (Inv. Nr.: SHM 7040:494, FID: 115274).
Place of origin:
Ragnhildsholmen, Kungälv, Sweden.
Datering:
1250-1320.
Note:
Ragnhildsholmen was a fortress founded in the 13th century.

Skullcap (Cervellière) 02 (B)

Source type (B):
Manuscript.
Name:
Beatus. Commentaire sur l'Apocalypse.
Author:
-
Current location:
Bibliothèque nationale de France. Département des manuscrits, Paris, France (NAL 2290 - f.157v).
Place of origin:
Castile, Spain.
Dating:
The beginning of the 13th century.

Skullcap (Cervellière) 03 (B)

Source type (B):
Manuscript.
Name:
Morgan Picture Bible (Maciejowski Bible).
Author:
-
Current location:
The Morgan Library & Museum, New York, US. (MS M.638 - f.10v).
Place of origin:
France.
Dating:
1240s.

More sources

Skullcap (Cervellière) 04 (B)

Source type (B):
Statue - tomb.
Name:
Perhaps Sir Walter de Balun.
Current location:
Church of St Peter, Upper Arley Worcestershire, England.
Place of origin:
Church of St Peter, Upper Arley Worcestershire, England.
Dating:
Ca. 1325-26..

Skullcap (Cervellière) 05 (B)

Source type (B):
Manuscript.
Name:
Histoire ancienne jusqu'à César, second redaction.
Author:
-
Current location:
Brithish Library, London, England (Royal MS 20 D I - top f.110v, bottom 111r).
Place of origin:
-
Dating:
Ca. 1330-1340.
Note:
On top illustration, the knight wears a cervellière, on the bottom illustration the same knight is now seen with a Great Helmet (presumably on top of his cervellière).

Cross -Reference

Cutlass E1c 02 (B)

Knee Protection (Poleyns) 06 (B)

Source type (B):
Tombstone.
Name:
Guillaume Bertrand de Durfort.
Author:
-
Current location:
Basilica della Santissima Annunziata, Florence, Italy.
Place of origin:
Basilica della Santissima Annunziata, Florence, Italy.
Dating:
Ca. 1289.
Note:
French nobleman, buried in Italy.

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