Find the medieval shield you need, whether you are a reenactor, LARP or just want it to decorate your living room. We have in our Zetan Medieval store all kinds of medieval shields, Viking shields, Roman shields, Celtic shields and many more.
WHAT THE MEDIEVAL SHIELDS WERE LIKE
Medieval shields were a primary instrument of the warrior's equipment of the time, and were manufactured in different shapes and sizes according to the needs and fighting styles of different cultures and times. Europe was the home of many peoples and cultures that developed a large number of types of shields taking into account their peculiarities and needs.
The shield has been until its disuse, in the eighteenth century, the main defensive weapon of the warrior in all times. They were mainly made of various sheets of wood, although they can also be found in some type of metal, such as bronze. The outline was usually reinforced by iron strips. Its shapes are not homogeneous, being fundamentally circular, rectangular and oval. At the end of the Middle Ages, triangular shields were imposed. They were embraced by three leather strips, and if they were not used they were carried as a bandolier.
THE MOST IMPORTANT SHIELDS DURING THE MIDDLE AGES
Norman Shield : It was an elongated triangular shield. It was made of wood and covered in leather. Due to its elongated shape, it allowed the user to easily carry it on horseback. Used by Norman warriors, who brought it to England after the Norman conquest in 1066. This shield was widely used by cavalry, and specially designed to defend against attacks from a distance. Some researchers see very close parallels to the so-called kite shield
Triangular shield : Used mainly by Germanic soldiers between the 13th and 15th centuries. It was a wooden shield covered in leather. Triangular in shape, the lower corner was slightly rounded as an element to protect the wearer's legs.
Tower shield : It was a tall and narrow shield especially used by the infantry of the time. Rectangular and elongated in shape, it was preferably used as a means of protection against attacks with weapons from afar, such as arrows or bolts.
Round shield : Widely used in the Middle Ages by different peoples, especially by the Normans and the Vikings. As can be deduced from its name, it was a circular shield and it was held by a strap placed in the middle of the inner part of the shield. It was generally conical in shape.
Oval shield : Like the previous shield, it was very common in the Middle Ages and used by almost all known towns then. Mainly its use spread among the Norman peoples and the Anglo-Saxon warriors. Its shape was oval, hence its name, it included rounded edges. The mode of attachment was similar to the round shield. Above all, it was used in hand-to-hand combat.
Hand shield : It was a small and light shield, which allowed it to be handled easily with one hand. It was very effective at repelling attacks with swords and spears. It had a rectangular shape. Widely used by the cavalry of the time-
Heater's shield : Another very popular shield among the European warriors of the Middle Ages. It had an almond shape and was very versatile as it offered protection against short and long weapons.
Pavés shield : Especially used by the infantry during the Hundred Years War. It was a good protection against arrows and arrows and its shape was rectangular.
Shield of the Targe : Of Scottish origin used between the 12th and 18th centuries, it was the usual shield of the warriors of the Highlands in the Middle Ages. Round in shape and wooden structure covered with leather.
Kite Shield: Used by cavalry, it was diamond shaped and larger than hand shields. However, it was also used with one hand, allowing the knight to use the other hand for the spear or sword.
These shields were used, as we have already said, among others, by the Normans, Vikings, Germanic warriors, medieval knights and foot soldiers.
OTHER TYPES OF MEDIEVAL SHIELDS USED IN THE EUROPE OF THE MIDDLE AGES
Buckler shield : Shield of reduced dimensions, which could be held with one hand with ease. It measured between 15 and 45 centimeters. Due to its extraordinary maneuverability it was very popular among swordsmen and hand-to-hand fighters.
Scottish Shield : Similar to the Targe, but used in the Scottish Lowlands. Rectangular or square in shape. Made of wood and leather.
Board shield : Flat and rectangular shield, it was used mainly to protect the archers from the arrows fired by the enemy, although it was not strange that it was also used as a defensive element for the infantry.
Crossbow Shield : Smaller than infantry shields and was specifically intended for crossbowmen. It had an oval or circular shape, with a great particularity, since it had a cut to pass the crossbow.
Battlement shield : Shield in the form of saw teeth, also having peaks in the upper area. These spikes allowed another form of combat, because the enemy could be attacked from behind the protection of the shield.
Pike Shield : Much like the battlement shield, this shield was triangular or diamond shaped and also had spikes on top. I protected the soldier from the enemy pikes.
Leather shield : Made only of leather and used for personal defense. Very light and malleable, they were very easy to carry, which translated into great maneuverability.
Viking shield: Used between the 5th and 10th centuries. Circular, made of linden wood and covered on the outside by leather, where an iron umbo can be seen .
Water drop shield: Used mainly between the 10th and 13th centuries. Its main characteristic is its special shape, in a comet or teardrop. It was convex and had a central iron umbo, elements that disappear from it in the latest models.
Tabulaccio: Of Italian origin, its use is limited to the late thirteenth and fourteenth centuries. It is considered an evolution of the Roman Scutum. It covered a soldier from head to knee.
Shield: Very resistant shield, used mainly by the Muslim cavalry, however, between the 14th and 15th centuries its use also passed to the Christian part. Made of leather and oval in shape.
Tarja: Small shield used from the XV century in medieval tournaments. Constructed of wood covered with leather and adorned with the emblems of the knight. It was rectangular in shape.
Chimalli: Shield used by Aztec warriors between the 15th and 16th centuries. Made of hardened leather with a reed base, its shape is very similar to a buckler-type shield.
Buckler: Used until the end of the 17th century by light cavalry and in personal duels. Initially, it was made of wood, but with the advent of firearms, the material changed from wood to metal capable of withstanding a shot.
As we have been able to verify, there was a great variety of shields, but they all had something in common, they were a fundamental element for the protection of the warrior. A warrior without a shield used to be an easy piece to kill for the armed enemy.
