[MR] Wikipedia: “Pioneer” Anglo-Saxon Helmet

[Garth Groff and Sally Sanford]

Noble friends,

On this date in 1997, the "boar crested" Anglo-Saxon "Pioneer" helmet was
first placed on display at a Museum in Leicester.

Helmets of this type were common among Germanic and Scandinavian warriors
from the 6th through the 11th centuries, though few survive. Boar crested
helmets are mentioned in Beowulf. Surviving Anglo-Saxon helmets of any
design are rare in Great Britain, with only seven so far discovered (the
Shorewell Helmet is of a different type). The Pioneer helmet was recovered
from a high-status grave that also contained a sword, knife, buckles and a
hanging bowl, as well as human remains.

The helmet was found earlier in 1997 during an archaeological survey in a
field destined to become a gravel pit operated by Pioneer Aggregates UK
Ltd. The company paid for the helmet's  conservation, thus its name. It is
currently displayed at the Royal Armouries Museum in Leeds.

The story is at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pioneer_Helmet .

More about boar helmets is at
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Germanic_boar_helmet .

The Shorewell Helmet can be seen at
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shorwell_helmet .

Also note the closely-related spangenhelm:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spangenhelm .

Yours Aye,

Mungo Napier, Laird of Mallard Lodge  🦆
Continuing a crusade to keep the original Merry Rose relevant and in
business.