The Broe helmet is an iron helmet that dates back to the Vendel Period. It was discovered in a cremation grave around 1904 at the Broe farm on the Swedish island of Gotland. This helmet was found alongside various other artifacts, including shield fragments, weapons, bridles, and game pieces. Although the helmet is in a highly fragmented condition, researchers have attempted to reconstruct its likely appearance.
A speculative reconstruction of the Broe helmet was undertaken in 1969. This reconstruction suggests that the helmet was made in segments, with a brow band and a nose-to-nape band. Additional pieces of metal, likely attached to the brow band, would have provided protection for the neck, cheeks, and face. The nose-to-nape band was adorned with ornamental bronze sheeting, and an eyebrow piece, which is still mostly intact, featured animal-head terminals and was inlaid with strips of a material such as silver. This reconstructed appearance is generally consistent with the contemporaneous Vendel XIV helmet, indicating that the Broe helmet might have had a somewhat similar design.
The dating of the Broe helmet is challenging based solely on its condition. However, the style and type of grave goods found alongside it suggest a date in the latter half of the 7th century AD. This timeframe aligns with the Vendel XIV grave, which is dated between 520 and 625 AD and shares several similarities with the Broe grave, including decorated iron fragments with an identical design.
The Broe helmet is preserved in a fragmentary state, with an artistic reconstruction based on speculation. In its complete form, it would have consisted of an iron cap, likely constructed in segments, featuring both a brow band and a nose-to-nape band. The nose-to-nape band, which may have had ornamental bronze sheeting, terminated above the eyebrows with an animal head motif, featuring eyes made with inlaid garnets. Fragments of the nose-to-nape band suggest that a second animal head terminal may have adorned the rear of the helmet. Iron strips hanging from the brow band would have provided protection for the neck and cheeks. Although only one cheek piece survives in a fragmented state, it appears to have extended significantly. Additional strips would have covered the nose and encircled the eyes to protect the face. The helmet also featured an ornamental eyebrow piece, made of iron and inlaid with thin strips of another material, possibly silver, terminating in an animal head on each side.
While the Broe helmet may have had some similarities with the Vendel XIV helmet, including deep hinged plates protecting the cheeks and neck, a flat crest with animal-head terminals, and ornamental eyebrows, the exact design of the Broe helmet remains uncertain due to its fragmented condition.