These are some of the most common shield designs that are seen, be it historically or in fiction.
Round Shield
The big brother of the buckler. Round shields are about a yard in diameter, originally seen in use by the armies of Ramses II and the Imperial Roman armies. It was successful against archer’s arrows. The Round Shield was also used by Scottish clans where they were called terges or in Italy where they were known as Parmas.
The big brother of the buckler. Round shields are about a yard in diameter, originally seen in use by the armies of Ramses II and the Imperial Roman armies. It was successful against archer’s arrows. The Round Shield was also used by Scottish clans where they were called terges or in Italy where they were known as Parmas.Buckler
A small hand shield, no more than 15 to 45 cm in diameter, the was commonly used in hand to hand combat. Its primary use was in the deflection of weapons, but was poor when it came to defending ranged strikes. It was more commonly used than people realize.
Hand protection is a given, as is the deflecting capabilities when defending against incoming blades. It was also used to cover the hand position of the blade hand, giving the user a chance to keep an enemy from guessing the next strike. A buckler was also used as a punching weapon to great result.
A small hand shield, no more than 15 to 45 cm in diameter, the was commonly used in hand to hand combat. Its primary use was in the deflection of weapons, but was poor when it came to defending ranged strikes. It was more commonly used than people realize.Hand protection is a given, as is the deflecting capabilities when defending against incoming blades. It was also used to cover the hand position of the blade hand, giving the user a chance to keep an enemy from guessing the next strike. A buckler was also used as a punching weapon to great result.
Kite Shield
Named for its shape, the kite shield is often seen used by mounted cavalry to guard one entire flank of the rider. Depictions of kite shields are as reverse teardrops.
The pointed tail of the shield could, in theory, be sharpened or tipped and become a weapon on its own, but only in the hands of an accomplished user. Primarily, this sort of use would be for when an opponent is already on the ground and helpless.
Kite shields are light, making for the user to be able to react quickly.
Named for its shape, the kite shield is often seen used by mounted cavalry to guard one entire flank of the rider. Depictions of kite shields are as reverse teardrops.The pointed tail of the shield could, in theory, be sharpened or tipped and become a weapon on its own, but only in the hands of an accomplished user. Primarily, this sort of use would be for when an opponent is already on the ground and helpless.
Kite shields are light, making for the user to be able to react quickly.
Heater Shield
Eventual modifications resulted in the shorter tailed Heater Shield, aptly named for their clothing iron design, that were used throughout the end of the 15th century.
Eventual modifications resulted in the shorter tailed Heater Shield, aptly named for their clothing iron design, that were used throughout the end of the 15th century.Tower Shield
Commonly used by the Mycenaean's, this shield is aptly named for its appearance and the ability of the user to hide almost completely behind it.
Various looks of the tower shield include the 'Figure Eight' (Also called Fiddle Shields) a shield with half circles taken from the sides that allowed the user to strike while still being hidden, and the Scutum (A Roman shield known for its oval shape). Fiddle shields were weaker against ranged attacks due to the lower surface area.
A popular formation with this shield type was to interlock them to form a domed defense, making those beneath it impervious to ranged attacks. In Ancient Rome, this formation was called Testudo or 'Tortoise Formation'. In Greece, it was known as 'Chelone'. In other militaries of the eras, it was known simply as a 'Foulkon'. Another tactic was to form a complete wall against oncoming units. It stands to reason that this formation was known as 'The Shield Wall'.
Commonly used by the Mycenaean's, this shield is aptly named for its appearance and the ability of the user to hide almost completely behind it.
Various looks of the tower shield include the 'Figure Eight' (Also called Fiddle Shields) a shield with half circles taken from the sides that allowed the user to strike while still being hidden, and the Scutum (A Roman shield known for its oval shape). Fiddle shields were weaker against ranged attacks due to the lower surface area.A popular formation with this shield type was to interlock them to form a domed defense, making those beneath it impervious to ranged attacks. In Ancient Rome, this formation was called Testudo or 'Tortoise Formation'. In Greece, it was known as 'Chelone'. In other militaries of the eras, it was known simply as a 'Foulkon'. Another tactic was to form a complete wall against oncoming units. It stands to reason that this formation was known as 'The Shield Wall'.
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