Coppergate Helmet, Anglo-Saxon combat helmet in Yorkshire Museum, York, England.
The Coppergate Helmet is an iron combat helmet decorated with brass and made up of several parts: a crown, two cheek guards, and a chain mail curtain with around 2,000 individual rings. The construction shows skilled craftsmanship and was designed to protect the wearer's head and neck from multiple angles.
The helmet dates to the 8th century and was discovered in 1982 during excavations for the Jorvik Viking Centre in York. The find was remarkably well preserved because it lay in a wood-lined pit.
The inscriptions mention Jesus Christ and the name Oshere, showing how religious symbols were woven into military equipment. This blend of faith and warfare reflects the worldview of early Anglo-Saxon leaders.
The helmet is displayed at the Yorkshire Museum in York and can be viewed during regular opening hours. It sits in a climate-controlled case that ensures its preservation and makes all details clearly visible.
The decorations are distinctive: the nasal guard features interwoven animal patterns, and the eyebrow areas end in snarling animal heads. These details reveal Anglo-Saxon artistic skill and how they combined protective equipment with artistic expression.
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