Armor on display at Fort James
The cabasset helmet, derived perhaps from the Spanish word capacete, meaning “little cap”, or from the Spanish word cabeza, meaning “head” was a light helmet that could have been worn by Jamestown colonists while aiming a firearm. These helmets were used in the 16th and 17th centuries by light cavalry and infantry soldiers in Europe.
Breastplates, one of the most important elements of armor worn in the medieval and post-medieval periods, develop in form over time to reflect stylistic change in men’s everyday clothing.
Armor on display at Fort James
The cabasset helmet, derived perhaps from the Spanish word capacete, meaning “little cap”, or from the Spanish word cabeza, meaning “head” was a light helmet that could have been worn by Jamestown colonists while aiming a firearm. These helmets were used in the 16th and 17th centuries by light cavalry and infantry soldiers in Europe.
Breastplates, one of the most important elements of armor worn in the medieval and post-medieval periods, develop in form over time to reflect stylistic change in men’s everyday clothing.