The shield has been used by almost all human cultures for defense in the fight, both remotely and melee, for its versatility to cover the fighter with aggressions with weapons thrown or brandished.
Made with different materials such as leather, very resistant to arrows and spears; linen, copper, to reinforce the shield; bronze, which covered the outer surface; although the material par excellence was the wood that prevailed throughout History.
It could be manufactured in different ways according to the class of protection of the fighter, of a simple wicker braid, light and resistant or perforated with a thick structure of joined pieces or a single piece of sculpted wood.
In the Byzantine Empire the oval shield prevailed. In the West, and from the tenth century, it was quite common for the almond, attributed to the Normans, with the sharp bottom tip to nail it to the ground to stop the troops. At the end of the 13th century until the 16th century it tends towards the equilateral triangular shape.
The shields were covered with skin and were painted with emblems or particular signs that gave rise to the blazons.
Within the funerary field, the shield is a badge that honors the deceased. It was an honor for the warrior to consecrate his own shield after his death in combat.
"... You will have at least one bronze shield, in which you will be buried" (Trojans of Euripides "
Medieval Shield, Swiss style with three points on the head and finished in tip at the bottom. It is adorned with the Cross Paté granted to the Order of the Knights Templar by Pope Eugenius III in 1147.
Of the Exclusive Collection of Historical Shields of Marto.
Certificate of Origin and Quality. Made in Toledo.
