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A morion is a type of open helmet used from the middle 16th to early 17th centuries, usually having a flat brim and a crest from front to back. Its introduction was contemporaneous with the exploration of North, Central, and South America. Explorers like Hernando de Soto and Coronado may have supplied them to their foot soldiers in the 1540s. ==History== The morion is mentioned in Book 10 of Homer's Iliad as a "helmet made of bull's hide, without knob or crest," being worn by Diomedes and given to him by Thrasymedes. The iconic morion, though popularly identified with early Spanish explorers and conquistadors, was not in use as early as the conquest of Mexico at the hands of Hernan Cortez or Francisco Pizarro's conquest of the Incas in South America. Thirty to forty years later, it was widely used by the Spanish, but also common among foot soldiers of many European nationalities, including the English; the first English morions were issued during the reign of Edward VI.〔(European comb morion )〕 Low production costs aided its popularity and dissemination although officers and elite guards〔(Morion ), late 16th century, associated with the Munich town guard〕 would have theirs elaborately engraved to display their wealth and status.〔(Morion by Pompeo della Cesa, Milan, 1585 - 1590 ) on view at Lennart Viebahn Arms & Armour〕〔(Morion helmet )〕 The crest or comb on the top of the helmet was designed to strengthen it. Later versions also had cheek guards and even removable faceplates to protect the soldier from sword cuts.〔(Pikeman's Pot )〕 The morion's shape is derived from that of an older helmet, the ''Chapel de Fer'', or "Kettle Hat."〔(Spanish Conquistador Helmet - Comb Morion ), helmet replica.〕 Other sources suggest it was based on Moorish armor and its name is derived from ''Moro'', the Spanish word for Moor.〔(Hermitage Museum )〕 The ''New Oxford American Dictionary'', however, derives it from Spanish ''morrión'', from ''morro'' 'round object'.〔''New Oxford American Dictionary'' (2nd ed., 2005), p. 1102.〕 The ''Dictionary of the Spanish Language'' published by the Royal Spanish Academy indicates that the Spanish term for the helmet, ''morrión'', derives from the noun ''morra'', which means "the upper part of the head".〔(Morrión ), ''Diccionario de la Lengua Española'', 22nd ed., 2001〕 In England this helmet (also known as the pikeman's pot) is associated with the New Model Army, one of the first professional militaries.〔C.H. Firth. ''Cromwell's Army'' 4th ed., 1972, p. 70〕 It was worn by pikemen, together with a breastplate and buff coat as they stood in phalanx-like pike and shot formations, protecting the flanks of the unarmored musketeers.〔(Eventplan photograph )〕 It provided protection during the push of pike maneuvers known for their high casualty rates.〔Oman, Charles. ''A History of the Art of War in the Sixteenth Century''. London: Methuen & Co., 1937.〕 Although mostly issued to Oliver Cromwell's Parliamentarian troops, many Cavaliers wore the morion as well, leading to confusion in battles; soldiers risked being shot by their own allies. It was for this reason uniforms were introduced to identify armies. First these were simple colored sashes but soon the Roundheads introduced red coats which were retained by the army after the 1660 Restoration of Charles II.〔Barthorp, Michael. ''British Infantry Uniforms Since 1660''. Blandford Press 1982 Ltd, 1982. ISBN 1-85079-009-4〕 Surviving morions from its 1648 siege have been unearthed and preserved at Colchester Castle〔(Colchester Castle museum )〕 along with a lobster tail pot, a helmet associated with Cromwell's heavily armored Ironside cavalry. Some captured Spanish armor was worn by Native Americans as late as the 19th century as protection from bullets and a sign of their status.〔(''The Fighting Cheyennes'' ), by George Bird Grinnell (2004)〕 The most famous of these was the Comanche chief Iron Jacket who lived in Texas and wore armor that originally belonged to a conquistador.〔(Iron Shirt )〕 In the Philippines, the native Moro people adopted the morion and burgonet design for helmets (as well as chainmail and horn coats) during the Spanish–Moro Wars and the Moro Rebellion. The indigenously produced helmets are usually made of iron or brass and are elaborately decorated with floral arabesque designs, usually in silver. They had a large visor and neck guard, movable cheek guards, a high crest, and three very tall feathered plumes reaching inserted on the front. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Morion (helmet)」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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