Great Helm

From Karate, Kungfu, Wrestling, Mixed Fighting Information Source

Great helms or Heaumes were developed in the 12th century as a means of better protecting the head against blows and used widely by knights during the next two centuries. The heaume was the most recognizable form of the great helm style. Heaumes consisted of three basic pieces: the crown piece, a conical piece atop the helmet, and a cylindrical piece for the sides of the helmet. A leather harness under the heaume supported the weight on the head (some heaumes weighed as much as 25 pounds).

The eye slits cut into the helmet were narrow and set to the side of the face in order to prevent penetration. Small holes were cut into the helmet for breathing. Unlike the armet or close helmet, the heaume could be slipped over the head without adjustment. Heaumes were generally worn with a coif or steel cap. While the heaume protected well against cuts, it did little against concussion damage and was thus considered far too heavy for the benefits it provided.