Cervelliere



cervelliere (cervellière, cervelliera; cervellerium, cerebrarium, cerebrerium, cerebotarium ) is a hemispherical, close-fitting skull cap of steel or iron. It was worn as a helmet during the medieval period.

History
It was first introduced during the late 12th century and was the primary head protection for Crusaders at that time and was worn either alone or more often over or under a mail coif. Also the great helm could be worn over a cervelliere, and by the late 13th century this would be the usual practice.

Over time, the head grew more pointed and the back of the skull cap elongated to cover the neck, thus evolving into the bascinet. Cerveillieres were worn throughout the medieval period and even during the Renaissance. Cheap and easy to produce, they were much used by commoners and non-professional soldiers who could not afford more advanced protection.

Ancedotally, contemporary medieval literature credit the invention of the cervellière to astrologer Michael Scot ca. 1233, though not seriously entertained by most historians. The Chronicon Nonantulanum 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