In the
Middle Ages, hand-to-hand
warfare was fairly commonplace. This was mainly a matter of hacking at the enemy with
sword or
axe. At such times, it was best to be well protected against such vicious, close-range
weapons.
The most vulnerable part of the body was the
head, so this was the most heavily armoured.
In the 13th century the great helm came into its own. Basically the great helm consisted of a hollow cylinder of
metal, covered at the
crown.
To help the wearers withstand the crushing blows of heavy war axes and swords, these
helmets were made of thick metal. They weighed on average some 7 kilograms (15 pounds). Learning to
fight while carrying such a weight on the head was an essential part of
knightly training.