This is the intriguing story of the helmet, on display at Wiltshire Museum, which was worn by Sir Thomas Long of Draycot Cerne, Wiltshire, who fought beside King Henry VII at Bosworth during the turmoil at the end of the Wars of the Roses.

Made in Italy and adapted as military technology changed, the helm hung in the church at Draycot Cerne for centuries before being lent to the Museum for safekeeping by the Churches Conservation Trust.

This fascinating story was researched by Chris Dobson, who spent over 30 years working as a Master Armourer and expert restorer of armour and edged weapons.  In 1995 he was appointed Master Armourer to the Royal Armouries.  Having moved to Italy, he is an independent historian and author, writing about the art and history of Italy, most recently the little-known but stunning Medieval art of Piedmont.

The talk was given by Wiltshire Museum Director, David Dawson, with a contribution from Rachel Whitty, Local Community Officer for the Churches Conservation Trust, who maintain St James' Church at Draycot Cerne. Rachel covers part of the West Region of the CCT which includes Bristol, North Somerset and Wiltshire churches. Churches Conservation Trust care for churches vested to them by the Church of England, repairing damage where necessary and working with local communities to bring them alive again.

Tum Couzins is working on a new history of the Church - see https://draycotestatehistory.wordpress.com/the-guidebook-to-draycot-church/