A cervelliere (cervelière, cervelliera;[ ,][ cerebrarium,][ cerebrerium, cerebotarium][Planché, loc. cit., citing Chronicon Francisi Pepina, lib. ii. cap. 50]) is a hemispherical, close-fitting[ Military helmet of steel or iron.][ It was worn as a helmet during the medieval period and a version known as a secret was worn under felt hats during the Wars of the Three Kingdoms in the early modern period.
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History
The cervelliere was first introduced during the late 12th century. It was worn either alone or more often over or under a chainmail coif.[ Additionally, a great helm could be worn over a cervelliere,]
Over time, the cervelliere experienced several evolutions. Many helmets became increasingly pointed and the back of the skull cap elongated to cover the neck, thus developing into the bascinet.[ ( Encyclopædia Britannica, "Helmet")] Cerveillieres were worn throughout the medieval period and even during the Renaissance.[Douglas Miller, Armies of the German Peasants' War 1524-26 (Oxford: Osprey Publishing, 2003), 47.] They were cheap and easy to produce and thus much used by commoners and non-professional soldiers who could not afford more advanced protection.
Anecdotally, medieval literature credits the invention of the cervellière to astrologer Michael Scot ,[ though this is not seriously entertained by most historians.][Planché gives Nantubanum but Nonantulanum is given by Du Cange] records that the astrologer devised the iron-plate cap shortly before his own predicted death, which he still inevitably met when a stone weighing two ounces fell on his protected head.
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