![]() ![]() Jagiellonian Library, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons Bouche shields could be used in various tournament events. The slightly curved shape of the shield’s face deflected an opponent’s lance. The shape of the shield also reflected the purpose of this object. The shield featured a unique notch in which a lance could rest. While the heater shield was utilized by knights in combat, the bouche evolved for tournament use. The bouche shield developed from the earlier heater shield. Martinvl, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons The heater shield outlasted the era of the knights because of this.Įven today the heater shield serves as the backdrop for famous heraldry.Ĥ) Bouche Shield A bouche shield is featured in the architecture of the Chichester Cross in England. The shape of the heater shield proved ideal for the display of a noble family’s coat of arms. Kobretti, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons Heater shield reproductions featuring the designs of kings and nobles. Most were braced with steel or iron bands, with canvas or parchment layers for decoration. Heater shields were made from thin wood and leather. They were useful in a variety of combat scenarios. Smaller shields like the heater shield were inexpensive and lightweight. As armor continued to evolve and provided better protection for the legs, large shields proved redundant. The heater shield developed from the kite shield in the 12th century. Unknown authorUnknown author., Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons Kite shields measured 3 feet tall on average and were commonly crafted from a combination of wood, animal hide, and iron.ģ) Heater Shield A knight holds a heater shield. Some scholars think the kite shield’s shape was derived from Viking equipment, while examples of kite shields in Byzantium suggest the shield may have Eastern origins. 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. Medieval knights relied on armor and specialized equipment when fighting on the battlefield. List of Shields Used by Medieval Knights in History ![]()
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