The Trust has recovered fragments of Anglian swords and horse equipment, including spurs and harness bits, but by far the most impressive of the finds from this period is a magnificent 8th century helmet unearthed in Coppergate by a mechanical digger and painstakingly conserved by the Trust. This iron and brass helmet must have belonged to a Northumbrian of very high rank, possibly Oshere whose name is included on a decorative band running across the top of the helmet. The craftsmanship of the helmet, and in particular the design of intertwined animals and linked mail neck guard, shows very fine artistic and technical skills.

The Coppergate helmet showing the nose guard decorated with interlaced animals and the inscription running across the head

The helmet after reconstruction