Tudor burgonet with falling buffe, 1.3 mm

Product description

The burgonet helmet (sometimes also called a Burgundian sallet) was a combat helmet from the Renaissance. It developed from the sallet around the beginning of the 16th century and became extremely popular throughout Europe. Burgonets were worn by the aristocracy, demi-lancers, cavalrymen, and cuirassiers. This particular burgonet is based on the cavalry helmets worn around the time of the Tudor dynasty. Helmets like these saw use across Europe, including during the Eighty Years' War. This type of helmet is characteristic of those worn by the well-known Border Reivers — cavalrymen of the Anglo-Scottish borders — who also called it the "steel bonnet."

The crest draws influence from the all'antica style that emerged in Italy during the first half of the 16th century. During the Renaissance, a renewed fascination with classical antiquity had a major impact on plate armor design. The steel crest is based on the stylized helmet crests of Roman legionaries, connecting the wearer to that storied past. The helmet also reflects influences from the Greenwich style.

From the late 15th to early 16th century, a new type of bevor emerged — one made of multiple lames with an integrated visor, known as the "falling buffe" because the visor can be fully lowered. In the lowered position, it gives an optimal field of vision. Raise it, and it forms an almost fully closed visor, similar to that of a closed sallet. This bevor style was typically paired with later kettle hats, sallets, or burgonets.

Hand-crafted from 1.3 mm thick steel, this burgonet fits head circumferences up to 62 cm and comes complete with a gorget/bevor.