Did the Vikings Wear Helmets? Revisited
Uncovering the Mystery of Viking Helmets: Legends, Evidence, and the Gaps in History
When I first tackled the question, “Did the Vikings wear helmets?” in a previous article over ten years ago, I explored whether Vikings wore helmets at all, given the surprising scarcity of Viking helmets in the archaeological record. The quick and easy answer from academia as to why there are so few helmets is and has been that they must have been items reserved for the elite. However, that proposition raises a significant question: if helmets were indeed reserved for elites, why are they so poorly represented in the archeological record when other elite items, like swords and ornate jewelry, are relatively abundant? Even among weapons, we have evidence of over 100 Ulfberht swords, allegedly forged by a single person and renowned for their advanced crucible steel construction. Yet, only two near-complete helmets from the entire Viking Age have survived. This striking disparity continues to challenge our understanding of Viking material culture, prompting debates about the near absence of helmets compared to the wealth of other war-related artifacts.
Two divergent camps have formed over whether the Vikings wore helmets. Some believe the Vikings did wear helmets and that the gap in the archeological record is a fluke. The other camp finds the lack of evidence in the archeological record telling. Perhaps the Vikings-the early Vikings, at least—wore no helmets. This article revisits the topic in light of renewed discussions and explores whether our understanding of Viking helmets has changed in the past decade.
Theories for the Dearth of Helmets in the Archeological Record
In my original article, I pointed out the stark contrast between the abundance of Viking Age war equipment — swords, axes, shield bosses, spearheads, and arrowheads — and the near absence of helmets. At the time, I posited several theories to explain this disparity:
Helmets were rare and reserved for elites: Helmets may have been prohibitively expensive, crafted for chieftains or wealthy warriors, making them rare in life and the archaeological record.
Recycling practices: Iron, a valuable resource, could have been recycled into other tools or weapons after a warrior’s death, erasing helmets from the material record.
Burial customs: Viking burial practices varied across regions, and helmets might not have been included in them, leading to their absence in excavated graves.
Revisiting the Evidence
Near-Complete Viking Helmets
Two Viking Age helmets, the Gjermundbu and Yarm helmets, can now be considered “near complete.” These finds remain the most significant examples of Viking headgear, providing crucial insights into their construction and use.
The Gjermundbu Helmet (Norway): Discovered in 1943 at a burial site in Gjermundbu, Norway, this helmet remains the only complete example from the Viking Age. Dating to the 10th century, it features a rounded iron cap composed of four plates and a “spectacle” guard for the eyes and nose. Its robust construction suggests it belonged to a high-status individual, supporting the theory that elites primarily used helmets.
The Yarm Helmet (England): Unearthed in the 1950s in Yarm, North Yorkshire, the Yarm helmet is the first near-complete Viking Age helmet discovered in Britain. Radiocarbon dating places it in the 10th century, aligning with the era of Viking activity in the British Isles. Like the Gjermundbu helmet, it includes a spectacle guard and is constructed from iron bands and plates, although its overall design is simpler. However, it remains unclear if the design is of Scandinavian provenance rather than Anglo-Saxon, and so we cannot yet consider this helmet a “Viking” helmet without more evidence
These helmets, while invaluable, remain anomalies in the archaeological record, underscoring the scarcity of such finds.
Viking Helmet Fragments
In addition to the Gjermundbu and Yarm helmets, several fragments have been identified across Scandinavia and beyond, including:
Tjele Helmet Fragment (Denmark): Initially misidentified as a saddle mount, this fragment was later recognized as part of a helmet. Its discovery highlights the challenges of identifying helmets.
Lokrume Helmet Fragment (Sweden): Found in Gotland, this piece protects the eyebrows and nose and is adorned with silver inlay, indicating craftsmanship consistent with high-status items.
Kyiv Helmet Fragment (Ukraine): Discovered in Kyiv, Ukraine, this fragment suggests the Vikings’ influence extended into the region and reflects their interaction with diverse cultures.
While these fragments provide valuable context, their incomplete nature makes it difficult to draw definitive conclusions about the prevalence and use of helmets among Viking warriors.
The Weymouth Helmet: A Fabrication
One notable addition to the discourse is the Weymouth helmet, which gained online attention as an alleged Viking helmet discovered in England. Further investigation revealed that museum curators fabricated the helmet to accompany a Viking Age jawbone in an exhibit. While the intention was to provide a visual aid, creating a fictional artifact highlights the public’s fascination with Viking helmets and underscores the need for careful scholarship.
Pictorial Evidence from the Historical Record
Despite the addition of new finds, the question remains: Why are Viking helmets so rare in the archaeological record? Evidence in the historical record, such as the representation of a Viking attack on Guérande in the Miracles of St. Aubin (pictured below), further confounds the mystery, suggesting that the Norsemen did wear helmets. A couple of picture stones from the Viking Age also appear to show warriors in helmets. The Stora Hammars Stone, in particular, represents men with conical heads, which many believe to show helmets.
Mentions of Helmets in the Sagas
Historical and literary sources also provide valuable insight into the use of helmets during the Viking Age. Mentions of helmets appear in several sagas, including Egils Saga Skallagrímssonar, Njáls Saga, and Heimskringla, where they are often described as prized possessions, symbols of status, or essential pieces of a warrior's equipment. These references help to fill in gaps left by the archaeological record, suggesting that helmets played a significant role in Viking martial culture, even if physical evidence is sparse.
Among the Icelandic Sagas, helmets are mentioned three times in Egil’s Saga; three in Njall’s Saga; and eight in Grettir’s Saga. In the Heimskringla by Snorri Sturluson, there are no fewer than 45 mentions of helmets, indicating helmets were an essential part of warfare. The Laxdæla Saga recounts one interesting mention: "He gifted him a finely wrought helmet, inlaid with silver, a treasure to behold." This passage suggests helmets may have been highly valuable, prestigious, and perhaps rare. In the Saga of the Jómsvíkings, helmets are essential to the warrior’s kit.
Given their prominence in Saga literature, it's no wonder that reenactors tend to include helmets.
Pre-Viking Age Helmet Culture
Archaeologists have found several helmets from the Vendel period in Sweden, around the 6th century, which resemble the Sutton Hoo helmet dated to the same period. It is unlikely that Scandinavians of the Viking Age would have regressed so far as to give up on helmets. The technology was there, and coupled with our artifacts and the historical and hagiographic record, we have evidence to suggest that high-status warriors may have worn helmets.
Conclusion
In revisiting whether Vikings wore helmets, it is clear this mystery will endure further. No new findings have helped explain why so few helmets have ever been found. Adding the Yarm helmet and additional fragments omitted in my first article enriches our understanding of Viking material culture, yet these findings remain exceptions rather than the rule. Theories about rarity, material decomposition, recycling, and burial practices offer plausible explanations, but none can fully account for the striking absence of helmets in the archaeological record.
Ultimately, the scarcity of Viking helmets contrasts sharply with the wealth of other war equipment found and the wealth of mentions in Saga literature, raising questions about their role and significance in Viking Age martial society. As we continue to uncover and analyze fragments, the image of the Viking warrior will undoubtedly evolve. Still, for now, the helmet remains an enigmatic symbol of a complex and dynamic culture.
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