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.