Last modified on 3 September 2015, at 20:12

Phrygian Caps or Helmets

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A Phrygian cap is a soft felt conical cap with a pronounced front curving point. A Phrygian helmet is of similar form but constructed from iron or leather.


T44 Boulogne, MS11 f.104v late C10th
A metal Phrygian Helm. C4th BC [Hermann Historica Munich Auction House]

Art

  • These are depicted in numerous manuscripts

Literature
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Archaeology

  • None from the Viking Age

Discussion
The much discussed subject of Anglo-Saxons wearing either Phrygian style caps or helmets has divided authors for over a century. Primarily the debate comes down to whether you believe that the Anglo-Saxon artist was just blindly copying late Roman models or whether he was depicting actual contempory head wear.

See Also

Armour

References

[HERMANN HISTORICA MUNICH AUCTION HOUSE] *