Interested in Roman Riding?

[Ammianus]

So, what would your thoughts be as to whether the masked helmet could be used in combat?

From my experience, in some ways it is extremely uncomfortable, you are sweating hard and the sweat has no where to go except to drip down your face and in your eyes. It is hard to breathe properly becuase of limited space, and you have absolutely no peripheral vision!

But after 10 minutes or so of wearing it, you forget about the heat and the breathing and just 'cope with it'. 30 minutes of wearing one in a show seemed long enough, and then you do it again and again. And in the end it becomes almost enjoyable because you know your opponents cannot see your expressions (and it scares the children)!

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I do not know where I stand on whether I think it could have been used in combat, and I think I'd rather have another helmet. But it certainly would not be impossible - just very uncomfortable.

The other thing I could not stop thinking of was that if I fell of I knew I would break my nose or damage my chin as the mask fitted so well to my face, a nervous thought.

I do not know how well the mask would stand against weapon trauma and arrows. Something to consider? Then you would know how practical it is.

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