Kind of amazed that a helmet I've never seen before or heard of is "the most recognizable helmet in the world."

This is what happens when gag gifts are seen out of context.

I've read so much about Henry VIII, but I've never heard of that weird thing before. It's really creepy.

Dark Souls Players be like: "one Set of Ornstein Armor please"

It's part of a Domhnall of Zena cosplay set. Henry liked cosplaying but was embarrassed his subjects would call him a weeb so the mask was hidden to keep his secret safe.

You can wear this exact helmet in Chivarly 2. Awesome that they put it in the game!

This helmet was made during Henry VIII's little known Groucho Marx period.

There a difference between "recognizable" and recognized. The helmet is so unique that it is easily recognizable...in comparison to all other helmets, that once you HAVE seen it once, you will recognize it again.

Imagine how terrified you would be on the battlefield seeing a king wear this masterpiece ..

Wow, I can't believe Henry was such a fan of Dark Souls that he had one of these helmets made!

For those like myself who had trouble catching the names, the character he said it might be based on is called the Knave of Bells which appears on a card in a deck of German playing cards by Peter Flötner. Bells is one of the traditional Germanic suits of cards along with acorns, leaves, and hearts. A Knave is like a Jack.

"Aye siwmae. And good day to you. That was a fine trade"

"Aye, siwmae. Never thought I'd see you here. This feels karmaic."

It's just a joke helmet for court masques, they were pretty common in Europe at the time. The standard ones were made of papier mache so haven't survived but in Renaissance Italy they were popular for carnivals, masques, general entertainment at Christmas etc. They were often just an amalgamation of bizarre or grotesque features but it makes sense the horns would have been added in the English court afterwards because the English yule tradition normally had several costumes with helmets and masks featuring horns

If time machines ever become a reality, I think its universally agreed that capturing Henry's reaction to receiving this grotesquely unique gift is right up there as the first time travelling destination!

We know Henry acted (often incognito) in plays or pageants at court - perhaps the grotesque nature was to add to the "shock" of a ridiculous character being played by no less than the King?

Forget about debating its appearance , it’s an absolute masterful piece of metalworking .

King: "Why didn't anyone tell me this looks stupid?"

Henry visits Max. Amonst the entertainments, Max has gathered some players to put on a comedy. Henry loves it, laughs a lot, comments on how funny the costume is. Max offers the helmet as a gift. One of many possible simple, reasonable explanations.