"Above the cheek-guards shone the boar-images, covered with gold, gleaming and tempered. The fierce-hearted boar held guard over the warlike men."
Beowulf
The heavily corroded helmet from Benty Grange dates from the mid-seventh century and is composed of an iron framework that was covered with horn plates. The gilt-bronze boar crest, decorated with silver studs, is thought to have given protection to the wearer, although there also is evidence of a silver cross on the nose guard.
