14th century bascinet with mail

A great topic!

The bascinet was a type of helmet worn by knights and men-at-arms during the 14th century. It was a conical helmet with a flat top and a narrow brim, designed to protect the head and face from sword blows and arrows.

During the 14th century, the bascinet was often worn with a mail coif or aventail, which was a hood or curtain of mail that covered the neck and face. The mail coif was attached to the bascinet by a series of rivets or laces, and it was designed to provide additional protection for the vulnerable areas of the head and neck.

Here are some key features of a 14th century bascinet with mail:

Bascinet:

• Conical shape with a flat top and a narrow brim
• Made of steel or iron
• Typically 12-18 inches (30-45 cm) tall
• Weight: around 3-5 pounds (1.4-2.3 kg)

Mail coif:

• Made of interlocking iron rings (mail)
• Attached to the bascinet by rivets or laces
• Covered the neck and face, with some coifs extending down to the shoulders or chest
• Weight: around 1-2 pounds (0.5-1 kg)

Other features:

• The bascinet and mail coif were often worn with a bevor, which was a piece of armor that covered the chin and throat
• The helmet and mail coif were designed to be worn with a surcoat or gambeson, which was a padded jacket or tunic
• The bascinet was often worn with a bevor and a visor, which was a hinged piece of metal that could be raised or lowered to protect the face

Examples:

• The Wallace Collection in London has a 14th century bascinet with mail coif on display
• The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York has a 14th century bascinet with mail coif in its collection
• The Royal Armouries in Leeds, UK, has a 14th century bascinet with mail coif on display