A morion is a type of open helmet used during the 16th and early 17th centuries, usually having a flat brim and a crest from front to back. The morion, though generally identified with Spanish conquistadors, was common among foot soldiers of European nationalities, including the English; the first were issued during Edward VI of England's reign.[1] Inexpensive production costs aided its popularity and dissemination although officers and elite guards would have theirs elaborately engraved to display their wealth and status.[2]
The crest or comb on the top of the helmet was designed to strengthen it. Later versions also had cheek guards and even removable faceplates to protect the soldier from sword cuts.[3]
The morion's shape is derived from that of an older helmet, the Chapel de Fer, or "Kettle Hat."[4] Other sources suggest it was based on Moorish armor and its name is derived from Moro, the Spanish word for Moor.[5] The New Oxford American Dictionary, however, derives it from Spanish morrión, from morro 'round object'.[6] The Dictionary of the Spanish Language published by the Royal Spanish Academy indicates that the Spanish term for the helmet, morrión, derives from the noun morra, which means "the upper part of the head".[7]
In England this helmet (also known as the pikeman's pot) is associated with the New Model Army, one of the first professional militaries.[8] It was worn by pikemen, together with a breastplate and buff coat as they stood in phalanx-like pike and shot formations, protecting the flanks of the unarmored musketeers.[9]
It provided protection during the Push of pike maneuvers known for their high casualty rate.[10] Although mostly issued to Cromwell's troops many cavaliers wore the morion as well, leading to confusion in battles; soldiers risked being shot by their own allies. It was for this reason uniforms were introduced to identify armies. First these were simple colored sashes but soon the roundheads introduced colored coats which were retained by the army after the 1660 Restoration of Charles II of England.[11]
Surviving morions from the 1648 siege have been unearthed and preserved at Colchester Castle [12] along with a lobster tail pot, a helmet associated with Oliver Cromwell's heavily-armored Ironside cavalry.
Some captured Spanish armor was worn by Native Americans as late as the 19th century as protection from bullets and a sign of their status.[13] The most famous of these was the Comanche chief Iron Jacket who lived in Texas and wore armor that originally belonged to a conquistador.[14]
A similar helmet, the Cabasset, was introduced around the same time in Italy.[15] Like its Spanish counterpart it was worn by infantry in the pike and shot formations. The stalk-like projection on the top resembled a pear, which is how it gained its name.[16] It was popular in 16th century England and was used during the Civil War. Several of these helmets were taken to the New World by the Pilgrim fathers, and one of these has been found on Jamestown Island.[17]
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