I am doing a survey about what sort of burning questions people have about targes (this will help to format a publication on the targe).

You know questions like;

Are all bosses made of brass?
How thick are the plys?
How heavy are targes?
What woods are used?
Etc, etc.

What would you like to see in a book on the targe?

Your thoughts and questions would be appreciated.

Please bear in mind that this is a survey and not a question and answer.
Though it could end up in that direction, especially if the questions get really interesting.

Larry, I'd like to see some of the following:

* Padding - what kind of materials? How thick?
* Hand and arm braces - Materials? Methods? Styles?
* Evolution - early to latest use - decoration? Regional styles?
* Illustrations - pictures of the mundane to the elaborate but not necessarily those commonly shown. I know illustrations always raise the cost, but it would be very well worth it to serious students.
* Go ahead and ignite a controversey about how they were held and used in battle, etc

Probably much more but all I can thinkof right now!!

George

Hi Larry

I'd love to know more about the craftsmen that made them, and any information on record about mass manafacture (cost etc.) compared to indivdual, or little cottage industry shops. Were shieldwrights carpenters/woodworkers who would sub out the leather/tooling end of things, or is their any evidence that shows one man did all ? Are there any "signed" pieces ?

I'd imagine these sort of questions are probably lost to time, but it is very interesting when you come across a bit of old information such as this attached snippet from James Drummond's "Ancient Scottish Weapons", 1881.

Thanks & best of luck, Mac

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Thanks George and Mac.
The more input I can get the better! It's very easy to get narrow in ones focus and forget what people are really interested in knowing.
Thanks again!

How about a bit about earlier targes..? There's far too much about Scots targes of the 45 but what about targes used in the 16th Century...?