Editor's note: The following article was sent by Mr. W. H. Lapthorne, who, seven years ago was assisting the Keeper of Armour at the Tower of London in making a catalogue of armour still existing in Parish Churches. Originally two helmets hung above the tomb but one went missing about two hundred years ago. Then, at the beginning of this year, the other one was stolen. Thus, with this year being the 350th anniversary of the outbreak of the Civil war, this information will be of interest to KAS members and perhaps assist in the recovery of a valuable local heirloom.
'The Norwood Helm, which hangs in St. Peter's Church above the tomb of Captain Manasses Norwood 1564-1637, is of the 17th Century. It is a funerary helm - that is to say it was never made for wear but produced specifically to be suspended over Norwood's tomb. That it is indicative of a funerary helm can be seen by the absence of a number of features that would be found on a real or functional helmet, namely its lightness, lack of lining rivets and other practical details - added to which, the lower visor shows the usual funerary gilding, something found only on this kind of helmet. Although based on the traditional lines of a late-Medieval Close Helmet, it more echoes those of cuirassier (heavy cavalry) helmets worn in northern Europe, about 1620- 1630. As is usual it has a one piece skull, having a pronounced comb perforated by a small hole from which it could be suspended. The lower visor is of a very pronounced boat-shape form, with the upper visor fitting into it. There is no roping and the only decoration is the funerary gilding, but the customary circles of breathing holes can be seen on the lower visor; yet here again they are intended for use only on a real (fighting) helmet. Funerary helms were made before the death of the person they were intended for. As an active Royalist, Manasses Norwood supplied the highest qualities of arms and men of any inhabitant in the parish of St. Peter's. Although he did not live to see the Civil War, he was described in 1630 as a 'Captain'. As this seems to be 'a companie of horse' it explains why his funerary helm is for a cuirassier rather than that of an infantry officer.'
These details, together with photographs, were sent to Ian Eaves, Keeper of Armour at the Armouries, H.M. Tower of London on 16th February 1985. The helmet is rather rusty and in poor condition and weighs 4½ lbs.
(about half the weight of a functional helmet) and is 14 inches high with a neck opening of 12 by 10 inches.
W. H. Lapthorne
