Medieval Shields

Medieval battlefield was a dangerous place and shield was often all that stood between a warrior and a quick death. The shields were defensive equipment intended to protect soldiers from melee and ranged weapons. Armour and shield aid you in two ways - making it harder to land an effective blow and absorbing the damage when they do, increasing the soak value. Here, in ArmStreet one can buy medieval shields, Viking shields, knight shields, bucklers, blank shields to paint and even small fist shields to protect the knuckles.

Ancient shields were made of solid wood, metal, bark, and of exotic materials, such as tortoise shell. Some of them were covered with leather, which increased cushioning properties. Today medieval shields for sale are made of plywood and metal. The body of the shield is usually made of wooden boards, reinforced with riveted metal shield boss. Wood can be painted when covered with canvas. Their strength is sufficient to withstand both melee and polearm attacks, taking part in SCA heavy and reenactment fighting.

Period shields can be divided into several main types, most of which are represented in our medieval shields store:

• Round shields with boss
• Viking shields
• Small fencing bucklers
• Knights’ pavise shields

Middle Ages Shields

During the Middle Ages value of shields varied due to the development of armor and fencing. Round shield was a common warrior’s shield, constructed of wood and covered with leather. Curved metal boss made it convenient to deflect a blow. Aside from their defensive properties, they might be used as an improvised weapon in extreme circumstances.  

Tower and pavise shields were used in siege warfare to give cover to advancing troops. For some, it is considered too heavy or cumbersome to be wielded in long drawn out fights. Heavy infantry of the Middle Ages preferred sling and strapped shields to hand-held ones,  so that two-handed polearms and crossbows can be used. Medieval buckler was the smallest shield type, often used for fencing, and could also be used as a gauntlet in melee. Sharp edges allow landing a strike with the shield while the opponent is open to quick counter-attack.

Combat shields have lost their value with the proliferation of firearms, however, at a subsequent time, there have been manufacturers of decorative shield replicas that served as heraldic emblems, decorations, and collectibles. Check ArmStreet’s shields now: we deliver excellence, affordable prices, high-quality materials and workmanship, express shipping to USA, UK, Australia, and possibility to order custom medieval shields!