Phrygian Caps or Helmets
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Viking Age Compendium articles on helmets:
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.
Art
- These are depicted in numerous manuscripts
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T44 Boulogne, MS11 f.104v late C10th
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 contemporary head wear.
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A metal Phrygian Helm. C4th BC (HERMANN HISTORICA MUNICH AUCTION HOUSE)
