The bascinet developed from the small iron skull cap worn under the great helm. It was found that the helm was cumbersome in the melee, and after the advance or charge it was often abandoned. So additional defence to the mail coif had been sought. By the early 14thC, this had developed into the small, rounded bascinet, and by the 1340's we start to see the poited type of skull shown here. The bascinet had now replaced the helm in most instances, the helm being reserved for the tournament. This type here has become known as the 'Pig-faced' or 'Dog-faced' bascinet. This type was universally popular in north-west Europe in the late 14thC, and this specific type was in use around 1390, and up until about 1420.
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