Jousting Helm Stechhelm Helmet Nuremberg, Germany, C. 1490-1520.Original on display at the Metropolitan Museum of Art (Bashford Dean Memorial Collection). Jousting emerged during the 12th C. from the military use of the lance by the mounted knight. During the latter part of the Middle Ages, jousting gained popularity in numerous kingdoms and was transformed into a lucrative event. Knights and nobles gained considerable wealth, prestige and land during such bouts, while merchants and artisans benefited from the ‘games’ by the distension of neighboring populations. While Jousting spread widely across the Christian kingdom, Pope Innocent II, in 1130, at a church council at Clermont, denounced all forms of ‘Noble’ tournaments and forbade Christian burials for Nobles killed in them. According to ecclesiastical ideas of morality, the ‘games’ distracted the aristocracy from focusing on more acceptable warfare, in defense of Christianity. Our Jousting helmet is based on the example found at the Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection. Made from steel, our Jousting helmet is fully functional and padded. The helmet can either be ordered polished, as shown or antiqued.
