Medieval War Shields

The shield is considered one of the oldest weapons, primarily used for defense, but also for attack. To our knowledge, the shield has been known for at least 5000 years. The earliest findings showing its existence are in the Mesopotamia region and belonged to the Sumerian civilization. This weapon was so popular and effective that it was used until the 17th century when it became obsolete due to the widespread use of firearms. However, today the shield is still used by police in all countries around the world.

Normally, war shields were held with the left hand. This way, warriors could cover their entire body while using their right arm for counterattack.

The materials typically used to manufacture war shields varied greatly depending on the era. For example, shields made during the 3rd century BCE were made of wood and wicker. Later, leather and copper were used for their manufacture. In Ancient Greece, linen and bronze began to be used, and in the medieval period, in addition to wood, steel and brass also began to be used for the creation and decoration of shields.

Not only the materials, but also the shape of this ancient weapon evolved over time. In earlier times, war shields usually had a circular shape, while during the Roman Empire, they were semi-cylindrical, and later, medieval shields were oval.

Types of war shields

Broadly speaking, the following types of shields are distinguished:

·         Adarga: An oval shield, composed of two leathers sewn together. It began to be used by the Muslim cavalry of Al-Andalus and continued to be used by Christian infantry and cavalry until the 16th century.

·         Aspis: A circular shield. It was composed of wooden planks glued together. The lower part of the shield was covered with leather. It was used by the ancient Greeks, who began using it in the Minoan era and continued until the 4th century BCE.

·         Buckler: Bucklers were small, circular medieval shields, made of wood, iron, or steel. They featured a boss in the middle to protect the hand holding it. They were used throughout the Middle Ages and even into the Renaissance.

·         Clipeus: A large, circular shield. The structure of these types of shields could be made of wood and sometimes with interwoven willow branches. This internal structure of the shield was covered with multiple layers of metal sheets. The center usually had a boss that served to deflect enemy weapons and could also be used as a weapon. This type of shield was used by the ancient Greeks and Romans.

·         Pavise: A large, elongated rectangular shield. It was usually made of wood and covered with painted leather and adorned with heraldic motifs. These medieval shields were used from the 11th to the 15th century, although offshore sailors continued to use them for combat aboard galleys until the 17th century.

·         Kite or Teardrop: A shield in the shape of an elongated drop or teardrop. This shape significantly improved the protection of the leading leg. It was made of wood. The period in which it was most used was between the 10th and 12th centuries.

·         Rodela: A lenticular-shaped war shield, primarily used for sword fighting. It was a training and dueling shield. It was made of wood or steel. It was used from antiquity to the Modern Age.

·         Targe: A round, concave shield, traditional in Scotland, although its design was developed in Spain. It was made of iron or wood with plated iron. It was used by infantry from the 13th to the 16th century.    

·         Tarja: Concave medieval shields used to cover the entire body. They were made of wood and covered with leather; over time, these war shields were made only of metals to achieve greater resistance. With some modifications, this type of shield was also used throughout the Middle Ages.

·         Scutum: A large, semi-cylindrical shield, adapted to the natural shape of the human body. It was usually made of solid wood, although it was also made with a wooden frame covered with several metallic layers. It was used by Roman legionaries until the 3rd century.

In this category, due to the greater development of the aesthetics of war shields that took place in the Middle Ages, we primarily offer medieval shields, although you can also find shields from earlier times.

Medieval Shields from the exclusive collection of "Historical Shields" manufactured by Marto.