Cervelliere
A cervelliere (cervelière, cervelliera;<ref name=muendel/> Template:Langx,<ref name=ducange/> {{#invoke:Lang|lang}},<ref name=planche/> {{#invoke:Lang|lang}}, {{#invoke:Lang|lang}}<ref>Planché, loc. cit., citing Chronicon Francisi Pepina, lib. ii. cap. 50</ref>) is a hemispherical, close-fitting<ref name=Nicolle-outremer/> skull cap of steel or iron.<ref name=planche/> It was worn as a helmet during the medieval period and a version known as a secret was worn under felt hats during the Wars of the Three Kingdoms in the early modern period.
HistoryEdit
The cervelliere was first introduced during the late 12th century. It was worn either alone or more often over or under a mail coif.<ref name=Nicolle-outremer/> Additionally, a great helm could be worn over a cervelliere,<ref name=Nicolle-outremer>Template:Harvnb</ref> and by the late 13th century this was the usual practice.Template:Citation needed
Over time, the cervelliere experienced several evolutions. Many helmets became increasingly pointed and the back of the skull cap elongated to cover the neck, thus developing into the bascinet.<ref>Template:Harvnb (Encyclopædia Britannica, "Helmet")</ref> Cerveillieres were worn throughout the medieval period and even during the Renaissance.<ref>Douglas Miller, Armies of the German Peasants' War 1524-26 (Oxford: Osprey Publishing, 2003), 47.</ref> They were cheap and easy to produce and thus much used by commoners and non-professional soldiers who could not afford more advanced protection.
Anecdotally, medieval literature credits the invention of the cervellière to astrologer Michael Scot Template:Circa,<ref name=muendel/> though this is not seriously entertained by most historians.<ref name=muendel>Template:Harvnb</ref> The Chronicon Nonantulanum<ref group="note">Planché gives Nantubanum but Nonantulanum is given by Du Cange</ref> records that the astrologer devised the iron-plate cap shortly before his own predicted death, which he still inevitably met when a stone weighing two ounces fell on his protected head.<ref name=ducange>Template:Harvnb</ref><ref name=planche>Template:Harvnb</ref>
NotesEdit
<references group="note"/>
ReferencesEdit
Template:Reflist Template:Refbegin
- Template:Cite book
- Template:Cite journal
- Template:Cite book
- Template:Cite book
- Template:Cite book
- Template:Cite book
Template:RefendTemplate:Elements of Medieval armor Template:Helmets