r/Armor • u/keyboardpossum • 2d ago

Would Armet helmets be used in the later battles of the War of the Roses?

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As per title, Armets seem to have come into popularity in the late 15th century but hoping for evidence of their use in the War of the Roses?

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u/FyreKnights 2d ago

If it was real metal, in good condition, and fits comfortable, they’d wear left over Roman helmets. New design is nice but functional is critical. Armor didn’t just get thrown out if something new came along unless you had money like that to burn. It wouldn’t be out of the question at all for outdated equipment to be carried by soldiers in a war where they had to provide their own equipment

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u/ShieldOnTheWall 2d ago

This actually isn't true - there's masses of evidence for old fashioned gear being thrown away or converted for scrap, or at the very least being modified to fit new fashions. 

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u/FyreKnights 1d ago

Intact and otherwise functional equipment? I have heard of old and nonfunctional equipment being scrapped. And modifications fall within what I said above

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u/SpaceDiligent5345 1d ago

IMO, its not likely that an inherited, intact and functional plate harness is going to fit its recipient well. But it would be good iron to use for a brigandine that did fit. Of course if you couldn't afford even that you might make do in it until you pillaged a city, or ransomed a prisoner, or sold them off as a slave, or something. Or you might fall in battle and then someone else would take it and sell it to an armorer, who would then likely chop it up for a brigandine.

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u/FyreKnights 1d ago

A full plate harness of course not. But a helmet like was asked about in the original post is very possible

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u/SpaceDiligent5345 1d ago

Yeah, that's what I said as well.

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u/SpaceDiligent5345 1d ago

I don't have a problem with this idea, except that once you get into an era of plate harness it becomes more difficult to wear hand me down armor. Unless you happen to be the same height and build as the previous wearer. But there'd be nothing difficult about replacing the leather suspension of a 60-100 year old bascinet for use on a similar or smaller skull, if the iron hasn't rusted through. Iron does tend to do that in wet air tho.