Sunday 23 October 2011

The Anglian Helmet



This helmet dates from 750-755 AD when York was known as Eorforwic.  The name of the owner, Oshere, is included within a Christian inscription written in Latin across the top of the helmet. 

IN NOMINE: DNI:  NOSTRI:  IHV: SCS: SPS: DI: ET: OMNIBVS: DECEMVS: AMEN: OSHERE: XPI

It is a beautifully made object of iron with brass decorations. There are 1947 rings in the mail and each one is connected to four others. It was found in Coppergate during excavations in 1982 and had apparently been hidden in a well. It is currently (October 2011) in the Yorkshire Museum. 

For a picture of how it looked on discovery see here

4 comments:

  1. What an awesome, ancient artifact! But I've have a terrible case of "helmet hair" if I wore that thing!

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  2. Wow - super find! I read all you link to the treatment - thanks.

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  3. Indeed Leif, I wear a cycle helmet to work most days and that is bad enough!

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  4. That is absolutely beautiful. The work is so fine that the iron looks like leather.

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