When did nasal helms stop being used?

The nasal helm was a type of medieval helmet that had a simple design, characterized by a nose guard (or "nasal") that protruded from the front to protect the face. This helmet was widely used during the Early Middle Ages and continued in some form until the late 12th century, after which it gradually fell out of favor as more advanced helmet designs emerged.

Timeline of the Nasal Helm's Use and Decline:

1. Early Use (8th to 11th Century):

   • The nasal helm originated around the 8th century, during the Viking Age, and it became widely used throughout Europe and Scandinavia.
   • The design was simple, typically made of iron or steel, and offered basic protection for the face while allowing the wearer to maintain some level of visibility and mobility.

2. 11th Century – Peak of Usage:

   • The nasal helm was very popular in the 11th century. It was commonly worn by soldiers, including Vikings, Norman knights, and other early medieval warriors.
   • The Battle of Hastings (1066) is a famous historical event where many soldiers are believed to have worn nasal helmets, including William the Conqueror’s forces.
   • The nasal helm was effective in protecting the face from slashing blows and fragments of weapons but offered less protection to other parts of the head, such as the crown and sides.

3. Mid-12th Century – Beginning of Decline:

   • By the 12th century, changes in warfare, including more heavily armored knights and the increased use of crossbows and other ranged weapons, led to a reevaluation of helmet designs.
   • Helmets needed to offer more complete protection for the head, which led to the development of better-constructed helmets like the great helm.
   • As armor designs evolved, the nasal helm became less effective at offering full protection against more advanced weaponry.

4. Late 12th Century – Gradual Decline:

   • The nasal helm began to be replaced by more comprehensive helmets, particularly the great helm and later the kettle hat. These new designs provided more protection for the face, sides of the head, and neck.
   • The great helm (used from the 12th century onward) had a fully enclosed design, offering better protection than the nasal helm, which had a more open structure.
   • The kettle hat (also used from the 13th century) offered a wider brim for additional protection from arrows and strikes, and it had a more rounded structure, which was more effective for deflecting blows.

5. End of the Nasal Helm (13th Century):

   • By the 13th century, the nasal helm had largely fallen out of use, having been replaced by the great helm, kettle hat, and other more advanced helmet types, such as the sallet and bascinet.
   • These new helmets were more advanced in terms of both coverage and protection, incorporating face plates, neck defenses, and additional structural reinforcements that the nasal helm lacked.

Summary:

The nasal helm was in use from around the 8th century and remained popular throughout the 11th century, particularly among Viking and Norman warriors. By the late 12th century, it began to be replaced by more advanced designs, such as the great helm and the kettle hat, and by the 13th century, the nasal helm had essentially ceased to be used in combat.