Hallaton Helmet
The Hallaton Helmet
The Hallaton Helmet is a decorated iron Roman cavalry helmet that was originally covered in silver and partly decorated with gold leaf. It was found in 2000 near Hallaton, Leicestershire, by amateur archaeologist Ken Wallace after he uncovered coins on a hill.
Investigation by the University of Leicester Archaeological Services showed the site was a large Iron Age shrine, with about 5,296 Iron Age and Roman coins—the largest coin hoard found in Britain from that era—and thousands of bone fragments, mostly pig bones, suggesting ritual offerings. The hilltop site appears to have had a boundary ditch and palisade and a possible processional way leading up to it.
The helmet itself is a three-piece ceremonial helmet made of sheet iron covered with silver and decorated with gold leaf. It would have been worn by a Roman auxiliary cavalryman in displays called hippika gymnasia and possibly in battle. The owner remains unknown, and its discovery on a native ceremonial site suggests a Briton may have fought alongside Romans during the conquest.
Design details include laurel wreaths on the bowl, a prominent browguard with a damaged bust of a woman flanked by lions, ear guards shaped like ears, and a neckguard decorated with scrolling leaves. Several cheekpieces were found inside the helmet, with elaborate scenes such as an emperor on horseback crowned by the goddess Victoria, and other figures. The many cheekpieces may have been extra parts for different occasions or spare pieces.
Dating places the helmet around 25–50 AD, making it one of the earliest Roman helmets found in Britain. It is notable for being the only Roman helmet in Britain found with most of its silver-gilt plating still attached, and it bears similarities to a helmet found at Xanten-Wardt in Germany.
Conservation and display: The helmet was too fragile to lift in one piece and was transported to the British Museum for conservation, a nine-year process. Leicester City Council helped fund the conservation and the purchase of the hoard, with a Heritage Lottery Fund grant of £650,000 and additional support from the Art Fund and other charities. The finders were awarded prize money under the Treasure Act. The helmet was restored and unveiled in 2012 and is now on permanent display at Harborough Museum in Market Harborough, alongside other Hallaton treasures.
This page was last edited on 2 February 2026, at 15:43 (CET).