Shields

[jeremy pace]

I recently got in a discussion on shields with a few of my peers. They are SCA folks and insist that steel shields are "period." I have heard this statement before, but have read plenty that says different. (leather, wood, even thrushes... not iron or steel.) but why is this? Too heavy? Then why not make them as they did swords, with little tricks to lighten them or make them thinner. I have some thoughts on this but would like to see some historic opinion. Sources would be nice. Mucho Appreciado.

[William Savage]

I don't think it would be cost effective to make a steel shield. The shield would have to be practically reforged after every battle. The only metal shields that I'v herd about are the fluted sport jousting shields of late middle ages. And the renaussance steel "targes" or whatever, those i think were for deflecting rapier thrusts though.

Are the sword lightening tricks you're reffering to like the use of fullers?

Hope this sort of helps.

[Nathan Dexter]

well... there are a few reasons they werent common:
1: very heavy, unless you made it the size of a buckler, and that works to, but in the mass rush of battle a buckler wouldn't be very convienient.
2: as said before, very expensive.
3: and whats wrong with a woulden sheild?

[Craig Peters]

Jeremy,

Ask the SCA folk to point you to a historic example of a medieval steel shield pre 14th century that isn't a buckler. Don't hold your breath. <img src="/forum/images/icons/wink.gif" alt="" />

According to David Nicolle and Christopher Gravett, the oldest surviving shield that is unquestionably "medieval" is probably from the late 12th century and suprise- it's made of wood. Elsewhere, it is mentioned that shields were constructed by gluing planks of wood side by side, or sometimes from a single piece of wood. No where is any mention made of using metal, save for the boss on earlier shields and for the edging.

[Jon Pellett]

Remember that for the SCA "period" is anything up to AD 1600. So 16th c. bulletproof steel targets are period.

Cheers