Miscellaneous > The Sallyport

Viking horned helms, yep I went there.

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Sir Vander Linde:
So yeah the topic of Viking horned helms for discussion, Why? Well I got to thinking and well, helm toppers. What if high ranking members had helm toppers? It makes sense to me; almost every European nation at one point in time had helm toppers, Rome, the Celts, etc.  So what if Viking chieftains had such toppers for their helms, or just high ranking society figures? If we look at what we know there is a gap in the helm topper time frame that fits this, Rome had crests, and then early medieval knights had helm toppers. See the gap? It is my explanation of the spike found on Gjermundbu style helmets. These toppers could have had a wood base with the rest leather. These could be affixed to the helm via the spike and tie points, these would not survive very well form a archaeological stand point. SO what do you guys think?
Thank you for putting up with my nonsense.

Ian:
I don't think the logic that "because there's a gap in a common practice during the viking era, that they probably did it too" is sound.  A lot of common practices were lost during the 'Dark Ages,' so the omission of something that was common before and after does not mean that it necessarily should have existed in between.

Sir Vander Linde:
Very true.

However this practice would not have been lost in the north where the fall of western Rome would not have any real effect on society and its practices. Other than a loss of trade for the lower areas.

Ian:
From what little I know, the only actual finds of decorative helmets predate the Viking era heyday.  But even if some did survive, the nature of wings or horns on a helmet would make them very unsuitable for ground combat from a practicality standpoint.  Big horns on your head are great for an opponent to crank your neck with.  I subscribe to the thought that any decorative Viking helmets were exclusively for ceremonial use.  Medieval helmet decorations and crests are typically found on tournament helms for tilting where the practical combat disadvantage of the decorative elements wouldn't really matter.  This could almost be called 'ceremonial' as well. 

Sir Vander Linde:
100% agree. Perhaps they, if they did exist, were used in a similar fashion to that of the tournament helms, on horsed riders at tournaments.  As for Ceremonial use I have no doubt that they would have been used, TYR, is almost always depicted with such a helm. If they did exist on the battle fielded I don't see them being used on anything other than horse warriors, who would not be "Vikings" but rather a warrior/knight of the same culture. I use the term "Viking" as a general encompassment of that culture.

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