Close Helmet, 1575-1600

This type of helmet is known as a 'funerary helmet' honouring and marking the death of knights or members of the nobility; in this case a member of the St.John family. In the seventeenth century it was common for amour to be carried in a funeral procession to the church and the St.Johns retained an earlier practice of leaving the helmet on permanent display. This is one of three helmets remaining at St. Mary's Lydiard Tregoze.

The helmet is called a 'close' helmet because it has a visor that pivots up and down and it fully encloses the head and neck, it was possibly made in England as part of a three quarter lancer armour (for a cavalryman who fought with a lance).