Illustrated Dictionary of British Churches - Funerary Helm Definition

History and Architecture

Funerary Helm

When a knight or member of the nobility died, particularly if they had a reputation as a warrior, a special helmet called a funerary helm was hung near or above their monument. Such funerary helms could be purely ornamental, but were more commonly actual armour worn by the person during their life - though not necessarily a helm used in battle. For example, the helm of Edward, the Black Prince, hangs on a wall near his tomb in Canterbury Cathedral.

Framlingham, Suffolk

Framlingham, Suffolk




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This Saxon leader resisted the Norman invasion from a base in the fens near present-day Ely



29 April, 1916

End of Easter Rising in Dublin

The Easter Rising was one of the pivotal events in finally convincing Britain to grant Home Rule to Ireland

This king rebuilt Westminster Abbey as a shrine to Edward the Confessor



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