A cervelliere (also written as cervelière or cervelliera; Latin: cervellerium, cerebrarium, cerebrerium, cerebotarium) is a hemispherical, close-fitting steel skull cap. It was worn as a helmet during the Middle Ages. A later variant, known as a secret, was used in early modern times under felt hats, especially during the Wars of the Three Kingdoms (17th century), Eighty Years' War, and British Civil War.
The cervelliere was first used at the end of the 12th century. It was sometimes worn alone, but more often over or under a chainmail coif (chainmail coif). Additionally, a great helm could be placed over the cervelliere, and by the end of the 13th century, this had become the standard way of wearing it.
In the early 14th century, the cervelliere changed in shape. Many helmets became increasingly pointed and the back of the helmet grew longer, so that the neck was also protected. In this way, the cervelliere eventually developed into the bascinet.
Cervellieres continued to be worn throughout the Middle Ages and even into the Renaissance and early modern period. They were cheap and simple to make, and were therefore widely used by ordinary citizens and soldiers without professional equipment, who couldn't afford better or more advanced protection.
According to some medieval stories, the cervelliere would have been invented by the astrologer Michael Scot around 1233, but historians don't take this seriously. In the Chronicon Nonantulanum it states that the astrologer had devised an iron skull cap shortly before his predicted death. Yet he still died, because a stone fell on his head—despite the helmet's protection.
Internal links
- Great helm: West European pot helmet from the Middle Ages
- Bascinet: medieval helmet with visor and neck protection
- Chainmail coif: medieval head and neck armor
- Sallet: 15th-century helmet with long neck protection
Sources:
- Visual Source: The Maciejowski Bible (ca. 1250), which shows how the cervelliere was worn either over the chainmail coif or directly underneath it.
