Morion helmets are associated with Spanish conquistadors in modern popular culture.
But comb morions were not fully evolved until 1540s.
Early conquistadors who were part of the notorious campaigns led by Hernán Cortés and Francisco Pizarro would not wear these!
But comb morions were not fully evolved until 1540s.
Early conquistadors who were part of the notorious campaigns led by Hernán Cortés and Francisco Pizarro would not wear these!
The predecessor of morion was the cabacete, popular among infantry in late 15th century Spain.
Here are two example of such helmets from 1470 and 1480-90.
An early conquistador could possibly wear this more primitive type of helmet.
Here are two example of such helmets from 1470 and 1480-90.
An early conquistador could possibly wear this more primitive type of helmet.
Morions evolved out of cabacete and were associated with Spain even though by late 16th century they were used all over Western Europe.
The name morion itself is due to (false) association with the Moors due to Spanish origin.
Here are two French morions from around 1575:
The name morion itself is due to (false) association with the Moors due to Spanish origin.
Here are two French morions from around 1575:
The association with Spain remained even long after morions were widespread elsewhere.
German inventory from 1606 refers to them as "Spanifle Schützen Haube" (Spanish shooting helmet) even though morions had been around there for more than 60 years.
German morion from 1585:
German inventory from 1606 refers to them as "Spanifle Schützen Haube" (Spanish shooting helmet) even though morions had been around there for more than 60 years.
German morion from 1585:
Many of the finest morions were produced in northern Italy in places like Milan or Brescia.
Here is a magnificent Italian morion from 1570s.
Rather than a "conquistador helmet", morion was an international helmet that appeared much later than early conquistadors.
Here is a magnificent Italian morion from 1570s.
Rather than a "conquistador helmet", morion was an international helmet that appeared much later than early conquistadors.
My source for the origin of the term morion.
The term seems to be of non-Spanish origin and came to Spain later.
The term seems to be of non-Spanish origin and came to Spain later.
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