At the heart of medieval battles, the Knights Templar advanced with their faces masked in steel. But some of their helmets bore an intriguing detail: an engraved, painted or inlaid cross.
From the XIIᵉ century onwards, the red cross pattee became the sacred emblem of the Order of the Temple, authorized by Pope Eugene III. A symbol of martyrdom, it reminded knights of their vow to die for Christ. But beyond the surcoat or shield, iconographic sources and reconstructions also evoke crosses affixed to helmets, particularly the large helmets that appeared in the XIIIᵉ century.
This cross, visible on the forehead or top of the helmet, had a triple function: to recall religious commitment, to identify the brother in arms, and above all to invoke divine protection. The helmet thus became more than a defense: it was a reliquary of faith. In an age when swords were swung in the name of God, the cross was never insignificant.
From the Forge to Your Hand: Handcrafted Katanas and Exceptional Swords
Samurai & Katana | Middle Ages & Swords | Templar | Legend & Cinema 
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