Kettle helm

The kettle helm or kettle hat is a helmet with a round bowl and a brim that extends around the entire circumference of the item. This appearance is in many ways, similar to many medieval cauldrons.

It appears in the 12th century with a multiplate construction with reinforcing bands and this style remains in use right up until the middle of the 15th century (often worn with a mail coif). It was very popular with soldiers, and those below the rank of knight, however some nobles favoured this helmet over the vision limiting Great Helm, such as King Louis of France in the mid 13th century, and many crusaders although it does not seem to have been very popular with the Italians.

After about the first quarter of the 14th century the kettle hat developed a tall conical skull, and 15th century versions might have an integral brim and an eyeslot cut into the crease. It might also be worn with a bevor in the manner of a sallet. Versions from just before the middle of the century have small combs and versions from the second half of the century might have spiral bowls. A Swiss version had had a shallow cone top and a circular cone shape that flared out from the brim upwards.