thumb|right|Early cervelliere (11–12th century)
thumb|Late cervelliere (14th century), also included as early form of [[bascinet]]
A cervelliere (cervelière, cervelliera;) is a hemispherical, close-fitting and by the late 13th century this was the usual practice.
Over time, the cervelliere experienced several evolutions. Many helmets became increasingly pointed and the back of the skull cap elongated to cover the neck, thus developing into the bascinet. Cerveillieres were worn throughout the medieval period and even during the Renaissance. They were cheap and easy to produce and thus much used by commoners and non-professional soldiers who could not afford more advanced protection.
Anecdotally, medieval literature credits the invention of the cervellière to astrologer Michael Scot , The Chronicon Nonantulanum records that the astrologer devised the iron-plate cap shortly before his own predicted death, which he still inevitably met when a stone weighing two ounces fell on his protected head.