Medieval Celtic Helmet – Blackened Steel and Engraved Brass

This helmet draws inspiration from the warrior traditions of the already Christianised Celtic peoples of the Early Middle Ages, such as the kingdoms of Ireland and Scotland. Its conical shape with a nasal bridge was very common in Europe during those centuries and remained in use until the Norman era. The brass band around the forehead reproduces the interlacing pattern, the most recognisable motif of Celtic art from that period, the same one that decorates manuscripts like the Book of Kells. According to the maker's legend, it was worn by Mael mac Crimthainn, an elite captain of the kingdom of Ériu, forged on the island of Inis Mór and blessed at the festival of Beltaine, and with it he single-handedly withstood a band of Saxon raiders at the fortress of Dun Fionn. This is a fictional tale: Ériu (the ancient name for Ireland), the island of Inis Mór, and the festival of Beltaine are real, but the figure and the fortress are not documented. Furthermore, the mention of druids doesn't fit well with peoples who were already Christianised, and the great plundering that Ireland suffered was mainly the work of the Vikings.