FUNCTIONAL SHIELDS IN THE MIDDLE AGES
Medieval shields were a fundamental element of the protective equipment of the warriors of the time. Next, we list some of the most common and functional shields used at that time.
1. Round shield for battle : This type of shield was frequently used by infantry warriors and had a rounded shape. It was held in one hand and covered the entire torso of the warrior.
2. Rectangular functional shield : This type of shield was most commonly used by knights. It was rectangular in shape. Being larger than the round shield, it provided greater protection to the warrior.
3. Tower Battle Shield : Used by soldiers fighting in a row. It was rectangular in shape and tall. Protected several warriors at once.
4. Teardrop-shaped functional shield : Typical of infantry soldiers, and as its name suggests, it was teardrop-shaped. It was perfect for guarding against downward blows.
5. Kite battle shield : Used by knights, its shape was elongated and curved at the bottom of the shield. It was excellent at protecting the knight when fighting on horseback.
6. Functional Pavés Shield : Typically rectangular and flat infantry shield. It was used to protect the soldier while preparing to fight hand to hand.
Most of the medieval shields were made of wood, and it was very common to reinforce them with metal or wooden leather and they were resistant to most of the blows received from enemy weapons.
OTHER TYPES OF FUNCTIONAL SHIELDS FOR MEDIEVAL BATTLE
1. round shield :
Viking functional shield : It was made of wood, covered with skin. Its edge was made of metal which gave it a longer duration. It was very frequent that they had an umbo or metal reinforcement in the center of the shield.
Roman battle shield : It was also known as the clipeus . Its most important components were several layers of wood covered in leather and metal. Like the Viking shield it had a metal edge, and like that one it could have a central metal umbo. It was a purely ceremonial shield
Functional Celtic shield : It was made of wood that was covered with skin or leather. It usually had a central umbo and it was also common to see decorations, either carved or painted, on the Celtic shield.
Functional Norman shield : Made of wood and covered in leather. It was reinforced with metal at the edges and in the central umbo.
Medieval battle shield : From all the above we can deduce that it was round and used to be made of wood with a leather, metal or cloth cover. It could have a central umbo and a metal rim.
Round shields were very common in the Middle Ages and were used all over the world, from Europe to Asia to the Americas. However, there are differences, never essential, that made reference to their culture and traditions.
Rectangular shields were widely used in the Middle Ages. Here are some of the more common types of rectangular shields:
RECTANGULAR SHIELDS IN THE MIDDLE AGES
2. rectangular shield
Norman shield : It had, at the top, a slightly curved shape. It was made of wood and covered in leather, and had metal-reinforced edges and central umbo.
Swiss shield : Used by the Swiss infantry in the 16th century. Like the Norman shield, it was made of wood with a leather covering, and could have a slightly curved shape at the top. It differed from the Norman in that it had a hole at the bottom that allowed the soldier to hold the shield with his left hand, and thus be able to use the sword with his right hand.
Roman shield : The famous scutum , had a curved shape at the top like the Norman one. It was made of several layers of wood and covered in leather and metal.
Spanish shield : It was used by the Spanish infantry in the 16th century. Made of leather-covered wood and had metal-reinforced edges.
English shield : It was used by the English infantry in the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries. Made of wood with metal reinforced edges and a central metal umbo.
Rectangular battle shields were very common in Europe in the Middle Ages. However, there are differences, never essential, that made reference to their culture and traditions.
MEDIEVAL TOWER SHIELDS
3. tower shield:
The tower shield is a type of heraldic shield. It has a rectangular shape and at its top it has a variety of towers that can take different forms. Below we describe different tower shields:
Square tower : In this type of shield the tower is square. This type of shield is associated with medieval castles.
Round tower : In this type of shield the tower is circular. This type of shield is associated with Scottish castles.
Conical tower : In this type of shield the tower has a conical shape. This type of shield is associated with Italian castles.
Crenellated tower : In this type of shield the tower is finished off with crenellations, which gives it a defensive appearance. This type of shield is associated with Spanish castles.
Gothic tower : This type of shield the tower has Gothic references, such as flying buttresses or pinnacles.
english tower. English model tower shield. It is made of wood covered with leather.
german tower. Medieval German model tower shield. Wooden with metal edge and coat of arms.
These are just some of the most common types of tower shields, but we can find numerous variants of them, depending on the style or period.
4 Teardrop Shield:
Also called pear-shaped shield, it is a type of heraldic shield that is distinguished by its elongated oval shape at the top (reminiscent of the shape of an egg), and that gradually narrows as it approaches the bottom, in which there is a teardrop-shaped tip. It was used in a few countries, such as Portugal and Brazil. It was usually used as a representative element of a noble house or significant family
We present below two types of these shields
Medieval teardrop shield made of wood and covered in leather.
Renaissance teardrop shield with leather and metal details.
5. Kite Shield :
Also known as "belly shield", it is a type of shield that was used especially during the 13th and 14th centuries. Its shape is very peculiar, as it is trapezoidal, curved at the top and a small prominence at the bottom.
The name " kite " (comet in English) comes from its appearance with a kite. It was intended for heavy cavalry because, given its size, it covered most of the knight's body. It is made of wood covered with leather and its measurements ranged between 1.20 and 1.50 meters in height and 60 and 80 centimeters at the top. The knight held him with his left arm, by means of a strap, leaving his right hand free to use the sword.
Next we relate some examples of shields .
KITE STYLE MEDIEVAL SHIELDS TYPES
1. Classic kite shield : Already described in the first paragraphs of this section. It was the most widespread type of kite shield among warriors.
2. Kite shield for archers : Smaller and less heavy than the classic kite shield . It also differed in its more elongated and narrow shape than the classic, which facilitated the mobility of the archers.
3. Combat Kite Shield : Used in close combat. It had a more rounded shape and a thicker edge offering more protection against enemy attacks than the classic kite .
4. Ceremonial kite shield : Manufactured for use in ceremonies. It was adorned with insignia and other types of decorations. Due to these additions, its elaboration was more expensive.
5. English and German kite crests . Some researchers uniquely distinguish these two types of kite shields . The English being the one made of wood covered with leather, and the German, which was like the English with metal details and decorations.
There are more models of kite shields but they all keep the characteristics of the classic kite shield .
6. Pavés Shield:
Used in the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, it is rectangular in shape and its surface is large enough to cover most of the warrior's body. The name "pavés" from the French " pavise ", meaning "big shield". It was preferably used by heavy infantry and especially by crossbowmen and arquebusiers. Made, like most shields of the time, in wood covered with fabric or leather. It was 1.50 meters long, and its width ranged from 60 to 80 centimeters. At the back it had a handle to facilitate handling. It could also be propped up on the ground, giving crossbowmen or arquebusiers greater freedom of movement. This type of shield was very strong and could withstand blows from arrows, projectiles, and blows from swords and axes. In addition, it could be used as a support for the arquebusiers.
Let's highlight below some of the types of pavé shields.
1. Classic pavés shield : Already described in previous paragraphs. It is the most common of the shields of pavés.
2. Decorated pavé shield : Used in ceremonies, it was like the classic one, but with more emblems and decorative elements. Of course its elaboration was more complicated.
3. Pavise shield for melee combat : Like the Kite type shield , it had a more rounded shape and a thicker edge, offering the warrior more security against the enemy's blows.
4. Pavé shield for cavalry : Smaller than the classic one, but more oval, which made it easier to adapt the shield to the knight's body.
5. Medieval French and English Pavés Shield: As in the field of the kite shield , some distinguish the pavés shields only in these styles. And as with the kite , the French one was made of wood covered with wood, while the English added metal references and decorations.
There are more types of shields of pavés, but, although their own characteristics of the region or the time, all maintain the peculiarities of the classic shield of pavés. It is noteworthy that they were all very resistant and were a great element of protection for their user.
