Helmet inspired by the iconography of Romance of Alexander
The helmet is based on the iconography of the medieval illustrations from the manuscript Romance of Alexander (Bodleian Library MS. Bodl. 264, pt. I), originating from Flanders, Tournai, dated 1338-1344, and held at the Bodleian Libraries, University of Oxford. The manuscript is written in Old French, with authors including Lambert le Tort and Alexandre de Bernai.
The manuscript presents the legend of Alexander the Great and his army as a combination of literary text and illustrations. The illustrations are 14th-century medieval miniatures, meaning the artists depict the characters not as they would have appeared in antiquity, but in the style of medieval European knighthood.
Thus, Alexander and his soldiers in the miniatures wear helmets, armor, and shields typical of 14th-century Europe, not of ancient Macedonia. In particular, the helmets feature visors with a cross-shaped lattice, serving both a decorative and practical function, showing how knights were imagined to protect their faces in artistic representations of the time.
It is important to note that these helmets did not exist historically in Alexander’s time. They are the product of a medieval reinterpretation of his army – an artistic knightly vision, in which elements such as the cross-shaped visor symbolized chivalry and courage. The miniatures do not document actual ancient armor, but create a medieval, clear, and visually striking vision of Alexander’s forces, understandable and appealing to a 14th‑century audience.
The helmet features a visor with a decorative cross and protruding bars in the eye openings, directly inspired by these illustrations. Thanks to the eye bars in the visor, the helmet is suitable for buhurt and sport combat, as the lattice increases safety during strikes while maintaining good visibility. The cross on the visor can also be made of copper.
Helmets inspired by Romance of Alexander illustrations are used in modern combat and tournament replicas, combining historical and iconographic aspects with practical protective solutions, characteristic of 14th‑century visored helmets with lattices, such as bascinets and their variants.
