In the recent migration helm thread comments were made concerning Paul Mortimer's fine kit and his lack of a shield.

Well..................................................

These photos just in from Paul. This is a replica of the Sutton Hoo shield boss, as made by Dave Roper. (company name: The Hoard) The boss is shown here in a state of dry assembly. The various components will now be going off to be silver or gold plated. This is absolutely incredible work and deserves it's own thread. I can't wait to see the completed shield.

[ Linked Image ]
[ Linked Image ]

Wow

In all honousty, I'm simply speechless..... Simply stunning!!

Holy cow..... THAT is nice work :D

Didn't say anything about the kit pictured earlier because I had seen that before, but this - what can be said but....Oh My!!!!!

WOW. That's... that's... wow. Fantastic work.
When I told Paul he needed a shield I did so with the assumption that he had something in the works, and I assumed that whoever he had making it it would live up to the rest of his kit, but THIS... wonderful. Congratulations Paul!

Fwoah! That's just so totally awesome!

**GASP** This literally took my breath away!

Oh. My Gosh. :eek:

that is simply amaizing.


:D

That's incredible work... I wouldn't want to imagine the price...:eek:

-Gregory-

man, i so want to do a sutton hoo impression. but i like living in a house and not under a shield. that piece is a work of art.

Like the others said, it's a stunning work of art !
I'm sure that the people who wore the original one were thinking the same about it, so I have one question : could someone really want to bring such a jewel to battle, or was it a symbol of (royal) power, worn only during ceremonies?

Thanks for the pictures,

David

i believe he was a great king. it was prob made just for his funeral so he could have it in the after life

I tend to think a king would use it in battle for all the reasons Jeroen said and if it got damaged beyond a few minor scratches a " RICH " king would just replace it and maybe pass it on to some loyal retainer as a prise or reward for loyalty or courage in battle.

In any case when in the middle of all that hacking and slashing you wouldn't worry about damage to your equipment until after.

The only case I would see not using a very highly decorated piece of kit would be if it wasn't a very good or sound piece of fighting equipment and purely ceremonial.

I could be wrong but depending on time and culture leading from the rear might not be an option if one expected to keep the respect of one's fellow warriors. A cowardly king or one perceived to be so might end up being a very quickly dead king.

Leading from the rear might become an option for a king already with a strong reputation for bravery, a crippled or very old but still highly respected, feared or loved king. A reputation for winning battles would help also.

Once again, thanks for posting the pictures, Patrick. Many thanks, too, for all the kind comments. I shall pass these on to Dave. His work is really very fine and deserves to reach a wider audience.

It's very much a work in progress. The board is made, from lime, it is lenticular and covered with leather and the boss will be mounted soon.

I think that Dave will make the metal grip and the rim next.

I think Jeroen is right about the king using the shield in battle and for the same reasons. If it got damaged - he'd have it repaired or get another; if he wasn't seriuosly rich he had no business being King.


Paul