See the Mysterious Horned Helmet of Henry VIII | Object of Intrigue | Atlas Obscura
Sep 23, 2020
Behold the horned helmet of Henry VIII, gifted to the monarch by Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian I in 1514. It’s perhaps the most recognizable helmet in the world, but if you’re wondering why someone would wear a helmet that’s quite this bizarre, you’re not alone. This piece of headgear has quite a bit of a mystery about it, and the theories behind its design range from having been based on a depiction of a fool, to being modeled on Maximilian I himself. There’s quite a lot to unpack here, so settle in for a brief history in this Object of Intrigue episode with Henry Yallop, the Keeper of Edge Weapons and Armour at the Royal Armouries in Leeds.