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 devout king was the son of Aethelred the Unready and Emma, daughter of Richard III of Normandy



25 April, 1284

Birth of Prince Edward (Edward II) at Caernarfon Castle

He was later named 'Prince of Wales', a title conferred on heirs to the English throne since

This queen was immortalized by Edmund Spenser in his 'Faerie Queene'



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