Historical origins of the myth that Vikings horned helmet

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2018-03-18 11:15:58

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What the Vikings horned helmet? Modern images often represent these medieval warriors fierce and desperate fighters with impressive size with axes and frightening armor. But what the Vikings horned helmet? After all for anybody not a secret that the main purpose of medieval armor, an important component of which was the helmet was the protection of their master.

Mythologizing the middle Ageswhy the Viking horned helmet

Medieval armor was forged quite strong, but the maximum light, which was an important factor in battle. However, we are often confronted with the ideas of his contemporaries about the fact that medieval armor weighed incredibly much that the knight, encased in armor, was not able to rise to his feet or to climb on a horse. Of course, all this had nothing to do with reality. Any modern historian, Reconstructor of the era, or simply interested in it, it is easy to refute these myths. For example, the average full suit of armor already in the XV century, when it reached the peak of its improvements that weighed up to thirty pounds. This is comparable to the layout of modern infantry. By the way, most of the weight is concentrated in modern fighters backpack weighs on the shoulders. The same armor was evenly distributed throughout the body. The same applies to ideas about the inherent artistic and sculptural additions for the beauty of the armor. All this could only hinder the battle, and thus, such impractical things could be only a ceremonial purpose, but was not designed for combat.

why the Viking horned helmet

So what are the Vikings horned helmet?

As surely the reader understand, we are dealing with a myth. Absolutely no reason was the Vikings horned helmet. Indeed, in the history of archaeological excavations never found such artifact, owned by Scandinavian warriors. Was found thousands of a variety of hats: pointed, blunt, nasal protection plates and visors. However,  horned among them there was none. There are several similar hats that belonged to other people, but no Norman. They, of course, was the battle, and served in certain ritual activities. Because the main function of a helmet – effective protection of the head of the warrior from enemy attacks. This goal was pursued for centuries by designers, blacksmiths. The greatest effect can be achieved only with very smooth surface of the helmet. A sword, descended on the horn, will not slip off safely, and can rip the helmet from the head, expand it into an uncomfortable for the host position, and even lead to its split. In fact, the helmets of the medieval Scandinavians were similar with the famous helmet of St. Wenceslas (on the second photo), also presented were hats with mask, obtained from modern archaeologists, the name "gjermundbu" – according to the finding (the image on the third photo).

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Where did the legend of the horned helmet?horned helmet

With this element of the Scandinavian defence's an interesting story. Surprisingly, the horned helmet Vikings attributed not to the later writers, Directors, or just narrow-minded consciousness. So they did their contemporaries. Here it is worth remembering that these men, bringing in X-XII centuries fear in the whole of Europe were pagans. They are regularly destroyed and pillaged coastal settlements of the continent. Often subjected to looting of Catholic churches and monasteries, the former at that time the main citadels of culture and education. Barbaric and harsh behavior of the Vikings was not something especially new to contemporary Europe. But the sacrilegious treatment of Christian Holy places made them in the eyes of the clergy not just enemies, but also literally children of the Devil. So what are the Vikings horned helmet depicted in this situation? It is in the spiritual image they first presented with horns on their heads that became transparent with a hint of their essence. This way they eventually found and throughout the continent. Therefore, the question of why the Viking horned helmet, the answer is: they didn't wear such armor, it's just a legend. 


Article in other languages:

AR: https://tostpost.com/ar/education/84-historical-origins-of-the-myth-that-vikings-horned-helmet.html

BE: https://tostpost.com/be/adukacyya/141-vytok-g-starychnaga-m-fa-abo-dlya-chago-v-k-ngam-ragatuyu-shlem.html

DE: https://tostpost.com/de/bildung/138-die-urspr-nge-des-historischen-mythos-oder-wof-r-vikings-horned-helm.html

ES: https://tostpost.com/es/la-educaci-n/143-origen-hist-rico-del-mito-o-para-qu-de-los-vikingos-el-casco-cornudo.html

HI: https://tostpost.com/hi/education/84-horned.html

JA: https://tostpost.com/ja/education/83-historical-origins-of-the-myth-that-vikings-horned-helmet.html

KK: https://tostpost.com/kk/b-l-m/141-tarihi-tarihi-a-yzdar-nemese-ne-sh-n-vikingam-m-y-zd-duly-a.html

PL: https://tostpost.com/pl/edukacja/144-pocz-tki-historycznego-mitu-lub-do-czego-wikingowie-rogaty-he-m.html

PT: https://tostpost.com/pt/educa-o/141-as-origens-do-mito-hist-rico-ou-para-o-vikings-capacete-de-chifres.html

TR: https://tostpost.com/tr/e-itim/147-k-kenleri-tarihi-efsane-ya-da-bir-ey-i-in-vikingler-boynuzlu-kask.html

UK: https://tostpost.com/uk/osv-ta/143-vitoki-storichnogo-m-fu-abo-dlya-chogo-v-k-ngam-rogatiy-sholom.html

ZH: https://tostpost.com/zh/education/94-historical-origins-of-the-myth-that-vikings-horned-helmet.html






Alin Trodden - author of the article, editor
"Hi, I'm Alin Trodden. I write texts, read books, and look for impressions. And I'm not bad at telling you about it. I am always happy to participate in interesting projects."

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