What sort of shields would have been used in the mid to late 1500s on the English/Scottish border area? Would a buckler be appropriate or a Targe or something different? Information on both military and civilian shields would useful (if there is a difference).

I have found plenty of information on weapons and armour but nothing useful on shields.

The reason for this question is that I am trying to put together a Border Reiver persona (well a persona of someone who lived and fought on the Scottish side of the Border in the late 1500s) and any help getting some of the details right would be nice.

From the book "Scottish Renaissance Armies 1513-1550" by Jonathan Cooper a painting on p44 of The Solway Moss battle shows a targe being carried by the horseman.

Round target like the Italian rotella. Very common for the Borders especially. Lots of documentary evidence and not a few woodcuts - just look for images of late 16thC Border Prickers.

IMHO, a "targe" ( highland style = unlikely,
a Small round shield poss. if mounted ???

Jack

Hey thanks for the information so far.

IS there a difference for shields used on foot or mounted?

Look at the horsemen in these images.
http://www.lib.ed.ac.uk/about/bgallery/Galler...eland.html

IIRC, borderers were prominent in English cavalry from the time of Henry VIII forward. These images are late 16th c.

It's interesting, the way they wear their targets as body armour for the charge. Notice that the Irish sling their targets on their backs in the same way when retreating.