Close helmet

The close helmet was developed from the later versions of the sallet and the superficially similar armet in the late 15th century.

[2] Beginning around 1500, armour, including helmets, became more immediately influenced by fashion, especially in civilian clothing.

The lower half, called the ventail or upper bevor, was projecting and shaped like the prow of a modern ship.

At the same time, on most helmets, the base of the bevor and the lower edge of the skull had laminated gorget plates attached.

Some of these masks portrayed the heads of animals or demons, whilst others were evidently for comic effect, being caricatures of the faces of their owners.

Wealthy men often owned 'garnitures', which were armours with interchangeable parts ('pieces of exchange') to suit heavy or light field use, and the many different forms of tournament combat.