A cervelliere (cervelière, cervelliera;^[1] Latin: cervellerium,^[2] cerebrarium,^[3] cerebrerium, cerebotarium^[4]) is a hemispherical, close-fitting^[5] skull cap of steel or iron.^[3] 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.

History[edit]

The cervelliere was first introduced during the late 12th century. It was worn either alone or more often over or under a mail coif.^[5] Additionally, a great helm could be worn over a cervelliere,^[5] and by the late 13th century this was the usual practice.^{[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.^[6] Cerveillieres were worn throughout the medieval period and even during the Renaissance.^[7] 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 c. 1233,^[1] though this is not seriously entertained by most historians.^[1] The Chronicon Nonantulanum^{[note 1]} 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.^[2][3]

Notes[edit]

References[edit]