Coppergate Helmet
 The Anglian Helmet from Coppergate, York |
|
| Material | Iron, brass containing 85% copper |
|---|---|
| Created | 8th century |
| Discovered | 1982 Coppergate York |
| Present location | Yorkshire Museum |
The Coppergate Helmet (also known as York Helmet) is an 8th century Anglo-Saxon crested helm in York. It has two cheek plates, a mail curtain and a nose-guard, and is richly decorated with brass ornamentation. On analysis it was found to be made of iron with decorations of brass containing approximately 85 percent copper.[1] The brass band across the crest bears a Latin inscription:
- IN NOMINE : DNI : NOSTRI : IHV : SCS : SPS : DI : ET : OMNIBVS : DECEMVS : AMEN: OSHERE : XPI
- "In the name of our Lord Jesus, the Holy Spirit and God; and to all we say Amen / Oshere / Christ"
An alternative interpretation suggests the following translation:
- "In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ and of the Spirit of God, let us offer up Oshere to All Saints. Amen."[2]
Oshere is a male Anglian name and XPI are the first three letters of the word Christos Χριστός (khristos) in Greek.[1] The helmet had been hidden in a well found near what is now the JORVIK Viking Centre, and was damaged as it was uncovered by a mechanical digger in 1982. It is now in the Yorkshire Museum.[3]
[edit] References
- ^ a b "Coppergate SKP". Svensk Kärnbränslehantering AB. 2007-09-26. http://www.skb.se/default2____16919.aspx. Retrieved 2008-07-02.[dead link]
- ^ "Antiquity Vol 64:242, 1990 pp 134-139 - J. W. Binns et al. - The Latin inscription on the Coppergate helmet". antiquity.ac.uk. http://antiquity.ac.uk/ant/064/Ant0640134.htm. Retrieved 2009-02-15.
- ^ Tweddle, Dominic (1992). The Anglian Helmet from Coppergate. Council for British Archaeology.
