![]() While considered a Norman shield, the kite shield’s popularity eventually spread to Spain, the Holy Roman Empire, and other areas of Europe. Battlelight, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons Norman reenactors with the famous kite shield. The shield’s unique shape protected both the upper body and the left leg of knights on horseback. ![]() As shown in the image above, the kite shield could be used by both cavalry and infantrymen. One of the most famous historical sources that depicts kite shields is the Bayeux Tapestry. The kite shield was common in the 1000s and is often attributed to the Normans. The medieval kite shield is one of the more recognizable types seen in art, films, and reenactments. Matilda of Flanders, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons Cross sections include flat, concave, convex, and wavelike.Ģ) Kite Shield The Bayeux Tapestry displays kite shields used by foot soldiers and cavalrymen. Common categories include round, rectangular, oval, and teardrop. Today, the buckler is organized into typologies based on its shape and cross section. Knights and other fighters who used a buckler shield held it in their fist by a handle attached to the back of the shield. Paul Hector Mair, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons Although an ancient design, the buckler shield remained popular through the Renaissance period. The size of this shield made it useless against projectiles like arrows, but it paired well with an arming sword or rapier. It typically measured 18 inches in diameter. The buckler shield originated in antiquity, but gained massive popularity throughout the medieval and Renaissance periods. Master of the Codex Manesse, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons They are listed in chronological order to help you better understand their evolution over the centuries.ġ) Buckler Shield The small buckler shield was most effective in hand-to-hand combat. The following are five of the most popular shield types used by knights during the early, high, and late Middle Ages. However, the shield as a symbol of the nobility continued to be important, with shields displaying the heraldry of royalty and elite European families. The extensive protection offered by plate armor eventually made most shields redundant. As the Middle Ages entered the Renaissance period, knights relied less on shields and more on innovate plate armor. Shields used by medieval knights evolved with the improvement of armor. Shields protected a knight in different battle scenarios, whether on horseback or on foot. Shields were essential components of most knightly uniforms. Unlike lesser soldiers, knights could afford the best protection. For more information about our shields or our inventory, please contact us.Medieval knights relied on armor and specialized equipment when fighting on the battlefield. At Historic Reproductions, we have a variety of Medieval shields and Medieval armour to choose from, all made by world-recognized designer and producer Get Dressed for Battle. Unless you’re an actor or historical re-enactor playing a soldier going into battle or a knight participating in a tournament, a buckler is the type of Medieval shield you should don to be the most historically accurate. These types of Medieval shields were effectively used in hand-to-hand combat. The surface of this shield wasn’t flat like battle shields were. This shield is small, often with a concave center where the bearer would place his hand to hold the shield. The buckler is a little-known type of Medieval shield that was commonly used as a part of Medieval armour. These large shields were most often used during warfare when there were flying projectiles like arrows, and during jousting events. The type of shield that one typically thinks of was, surprisingly not the most common type of shield used during Medieval times. While swords are the most glorified of the Medieval weapons, the Medieval shield is often the most prominent war self-defense mechanism. He is also on his iron-clad horse riding in to battle or charging an opponent. When one imagines a valiant Medieval knight of soldier, he is often clad in Medieval armour, wielding his sword in on hand a shield in the other.
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