Information on Medieval Shields

Shields are one of the most well-known items of medieval armor and weaponry. They had several purposes. Constructed out of various materials, shields have been in existence since prehistoric times. The shield is most commonly seen in European heraldry; Asian societies developed their own forms of armor and weaponry, but they often dispensed with shields in favor of mobility and light armor. European medieval shields are considered to be works of art by arms and weapons enthusiasts.

Types

There were 2 types of shields in medieval Europe: the kite shield and the heater shield. The kite shield was an elongated, inverted teardrop-like shape best suited for fitting the contours of a torso. Before, shields had been round. The evolution came from the gradual increase in foot soldiers as opposed to mounted cavalry. Round shields would have been best able to protect a rider's side. The kite shield design was best suited for protecting the torso and forward leg. The heater shield was a smaller, flatter version of the kite shield; it got its name from its shape, which was similar to clothing irons.

Features

Medieval shields were made of varying materials, depending on the quality of the shield. According to "Arms & Armor of the Medieval Knight" by David Edge and John Paddock, medieval shields could be made of leather, wood or metal. Often, they were made of wood with a leather face. The rim of a shield was lined with metal and held in place with rivets. At first, a single handle was on the inside of the shield, but this was later replaced by a strap or two straps to more evenly distribute the weight of the shield along the forearm. Optionally, there was a longer strap included to sling the shield across the back.

Function

Medieval shields were mainly used to defend against attacks from swords or other close combat weapons. The best ones could repel arrows, but few knights could afford a shield of a high enough quality for this. The shield was used along with a one-handed sword to give its wielder the best combat advantage possible. Combat techniques with the shield included levering an enemy's shield out of the way to clear a path for attack, using the shield as a striking surface itself or obstructing an enemy's vision. Both the flat surface and the rim of the shield could be used for striking targets.

Heraldry Designs

To distinguish themselves on the battlefield, knights had heraldry painted on medieval shields. Heraldry designs included pictures of people or animals placed against a colored background, usually as part of a family crest. Because knights often served feudal lords, they would have the lord's family heraldry painted on their shields to announce the master they served as well as to demonstrate loyalty. Heraldry designs were colorful, and many can be seen today on exhibit in art museums. The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, for example, has a section devoted to medieval arms and armor.

Medieval Shields Today

Although shields are thought to be an artifact solely from medieval times, the shield has survived as a protective device into the modern day. Police use large metal-synthetic shields made from Kevlar or similar material when they expect to go into an area with potential gunfire. The shields have the ability to stop low-powered rounds. Also, during riot situations, a group of policemen can create a wall of shields similar to an ancient Greek phalanx or a medieval formation to push back rioters and protect themselves against thrown objects.