A shield’s basic purpose is to provide protection to its user from hurting caused by the blunt weapons, edged weapons, polearms, arrows, and other dangers present in the fight. Just like the art of waging war, medieval shields underwent changes with time. Their design and making varied according to different factors such as culture, area, manner of fighting of the intended user, and materials that could be employed for making them.
Excavations reveal that the very first decoration patterns were already present on shields in prehistoric times. The Aztecs, Aboriginal Australians, and Zulu used such motifs on their non defensive weapons. Among other things, decorative designs served to distinguish the warriors by means of pre-defined colors marking or unit emblems. The symbolism of shields, in most cases, was a very effective way to speak about a warrior’s character or his message.
More Than Defense — The Meaning Behind the Shield
Spiritual motifs were a frequent component in the symbolism of shields. They were used to call forth either the power or the protection, or they were used to indicate the quality or the skill of the wielder, or both. To illustrate, Greek hoplite shields often portrayed monsters to scare the enemy away, or on the other hand, they depicted the sources of power such as mythical beings, gods, or godly symbols.
It was not uncommon for Roman shields to be red, which was the color associated with warfare and the army, and also, they often had lightning bolts that stood for Jupiter, who was the king of the gods and a symbol of Roman power. Sometimes, the shields even showed laurel wreaths that signified victory along with the emblems that were significant to certain divisions or groups of the army. In the medieval period, the shields of Christian knights were adorned with religious symbols like that of the cross or the fleur de lis. The symbols that were painted on the shields became so significant in Western Europe that the shield is recognized as the one influencing the development of heraldry.
The Evolution of Shapes and Materials
The flat top of the 13th-century shield, which was originally quite pointed, made it more triangular. It was still convex, but its length was reduced. Most of the visible shields are without the center boss, although some have it (Relief from Church of St. Justina, Padua, 1210). By the end of the 13th century, the shield became even smaller and its form evoked that of the “heater” shield which looked like the end of a heating iron.
This was the principal shape until the beginning of the 15th century. This, however, is a somewhat inaccurate statement, as the kite-shaped shield could have been just as loved in Italy as the heating shield. The heater shield was nevertheless much flatter than its forerunners and did not exhibit the same convex curve. The top-right corner of the heater shield was cut off at the end of the 14th century. This allowed for the use of the shield to steer the lance during a mounted charge, most probably in tournament jousting but possibly during battlefield skirmishes too.
How the shields were carried is most clearly seen when one looks at the effigy of Sir Robert de Shurland (1330) and also a shield that dates back to the first half of the 14th century, which is presently in the Tyroler Landesmuseum in Innsbruck and still has all its original straps. Both shields have two pairs of straps. The first pair consists of two buckled, adjustable straps that form a single loop known as a guide, which is used to carry the shield over the shoulder.
How Modern Craftsmen Preserve the Legacy
Current-day crafters acknowledge the legacy of the medieval armors by harmonizing the truth of history and the new tech’s demands for HMB and IMCF trials. The geometric patterns and the symbolic embellishment are primarily dependent on the few artifacts remaining, images from manuscripts, and studies on heraldry, while the modern manufacturing process guarantees that every shield can claim the very high qualities of impact resistance, weight proportion, and safety for full-contact medieval combat.
Each shield possesses the distinct function of absorbing and spreading the force resulting from the blows, maintaining the fighter evenly balanced for movement, and protecting both the fighter and the opponent within the stipulated limits. Observe:
- Structural compliance: Understand again the kite, heater, buckler, and bouche shields in their original forms while still accomplishing HMB/IMCF dimensions, thickness, and requirements.
- Material specifications: only the finest timbers, tempered steel bosses, and later fortified leather are to be picked out and subjected to tests for their power to withstand both dull and sharp blows forever.
- Impact and safety testing: The testing of Shields is performed with machines to make sure compliance is verified through checking energy absorption, strap strength, and splinter resistance.
- The blending of symbolic fidelity with durability: the heraldic designs are completely and properly taken care of by craftsmanship that is resistant to brakeage/impact, so visibility and authenticity are both assured.
In summary, trap placement, grip design, and weight distribution are made to perfectly fit HMB/IMCF handling criteria while also keeping an ancient look.
The buckler comes with a wrist strap made of leather securing the fit plus a 30 cm (11.8 inches) diameter that fits every fighter perfectly. The buckler’s grape-like lightness, which is 905 g (2 lbs) only, allows quick and effortless movement while still offering maximum protection. If you are an agility, maneuverability, and quick strike person, the buckler is the perfect one for you. The size keeps the movements fast, which means you can easily move around the battleground, block the first blows, and then hit back-with accuracy.
Carrying the Shield into Modern Combat
Today’s shields are made by the union of old artisanship and new technology which deliver both realness and safety to HMB and IMCF contests. The shields are composed of a blend of characteristic features such as high impact resistance, mobility, and ceremonial detailing; thereby, the fighters of the tournament can enact the historical scenario of the knights.
Explore the range of shields from Medieval Extreme that are not only tournament-ready but also acknowledge the history of armor—schedule a consultation now!
