Cornwall's 100 Objects in focus: Civil War Helmet at Liskeard Museum

On first glance this English Civil War helmet looks like it has seen better days. But take a closer look and you will discover that the tatty material that covers it is in fact cloth – purposely added by the wearer to cut down the shine of the metal surface of this Parliamentarian helmet.

It is one of the oldest survivors of a camouflaged helmet in the UK and it belonged to Major Thomas Johnson, a Parliamentarian soldier from Liskeard who fought at the Battle of Braddock Down in 1643.  

Many significant battles were fought in East Cornwall during the English Civil War and although the County was regarded as a Royalist stronghold many men rallied to the Parliamentarian cause. However the Battle of Braddock Down ended in defeat for the Parliamentarians.
 
See more and make a comment about it on the Cornwall in 100 Objects Page of the History of the World website. See it at Liskeard Museum. 

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