The Rondel or Basegew is a circular piece of metal attached to a helmet, breastplate, or gauntlet. It was worn as part of a harness for a plate armour.
Rondels hung off breastplates and covered the armpit, a usually vulnerable point. They were also used to steady the jousting lance – in which instance they would be called basegews. Armour without besagews usually employed larger shoulder defenses or leave the mail beneath exposed.
Rondels also appeared on the back of a type of medieval helmet called armet. Although their purpose is still unknown, they might have been used to protect strapping. Some historical guantlets designs also feature rondels.