Made of high quality, breathable plastic, the Spanish conquistador morion helmet is the perfect accessory for medieval knight costumes. Realistic paint makes it look like a metal helmet. It is so light and suitable for long wear. The morion is an open helmet used in the mid-16th and early 17th centuries, usually with a flat brim and front-to-back top. It was introduced in the mid-16th century to coincide with the exploration of what would become the American South. Explorers like Hernando de Soto and Coronado may have used them as infantry in the 1540s. The iconic morion, although well known among early Spanish explorers and conquistadors, was not used as far back as the Incas who conquered Mexico or conquered South America. Thirty to forty years later, it was widely used by the Spaniards, but was also common among the infantry of many European countries, including the British; the earliest English morion was issued during the reign of Edward VI. Although officers and elite guards would have meticulously carved them to show their wealth and status, the low cost of production contributed to its popularity and spread. PLEASE NOTE: This plastic helmet is for entertainment only and does not provide protection.