SALETS Meaning and
Definition
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Salets are a type of medieval headgear commonly worn by knights and men-at-arms in Europe during the 15th and 16th centuries. Also known as sallets, these protective helmets were designed to cover the head entirely, providing substantial defense in battle. The salet featured a rounded or elongated shape, encompassing the top, back, and sides of the head, with an open face and a narrow slit for vision. This slit was usually located in the front, offering protection to the face while allowing the wearer to see and breathe comfortably.
Salets typically had a hinged visor that could be raised or lowered to provide additional protection for the face. This visor usually had multiple small holes or openings to enable proper ventilation and to make communication easier. The salet was often worn in conjunction with other armor pieces such as a gorget, bevor, and shoulder armor to ensure complete protection of the head and neck.
The salet was considered an essential component of a knight's attire during the late medieval period, providing optimal defense while maintaining mobility. Its design allowed for versatility, as it could be worn with or without additional armor depending on the situation. The salet underwent various changes in design throughout its existence, adapting to the evolving needs of warfare and fashion trends of the time.
Today, salets are predominantly seen as historical artifacts and are often featured in museums or reenactments to showcase the armor and equipment used in medieval times.
Common Misspellings for SALETS
- xalets
- dalets
- ealets
- szlets
- sslets
- swlets
- sqlets
- sakets
- sapets
- salwts
- saldts
- salrts
- sal4ts
- sal3ts
- salers
- salefs
- salegs
- saleys
- sale6s
- sale5s
Etymology of SALETS
The word "salets" comes from the Middle English term "salete", which was derived from the Old French word "sallet" or "salade". This Old French term originally referred to a type of armor worn to protect the head, typically consisting of a metal plate or a chainmail hood. Over time, the meaning of "salet" broadened to include a kind of helmet or headpiece worn by soldiers in the 15th and 16th centuries. Today, the word "salets" is primarily used in historical contexts to describe these medieval helmets.
