How does a viking round shield look from the back? -- myArmoury.com

Alex Pelkmann

Hey,

I'm trying to make my own Viking roundshield, but I dont know how the back must look like to be authentic. It is like the buckler, where only one brace is over the hole? As the Buckler only needs one, because it has only 30cm caliber.
This is why I think the Viking Roundshield must have two braces. It is also a effect with the leverage, when you have only one brace in the middle and 60cm caliber.

Do you have historical evidences?

Petr Florianek · Industry Professional

Hello! As a dedicated viking reenactor I have to say:
It is like buckler, with only one handle running over hole, protected by a central boss.
This is excelent article concerning the topic :http://members.ozemail.com.au/~chrisandpeter/shield/shield.html

my friend with a shield, which is rawhide covered on both sides
http://www.skjaldborg.livinghistory.cz/Foto/A..._VI/17.jpg

hope it helps!

Alex Pelkmann · Posted: Thu 02 Oct, 2008 3:29 am Post subject:

Thank you! This is exactly what I'm searching for!

Edit:

But I think its hard to handle with such a heavy shield with only one brace in the middle, isnt it?

Petr Florianek · Industry Professional

It is not if you make a shield in proper way (it est very light). You have to forgot everything about the strap attached shields. Its very dymamic, you have to use it like a leverage to bind enemys weapon... But you have to have very sturdy boss, because in face to face combat you are tryiing to catch every blow with the boss. Wooden part in this thickness and used kinds of wood is to fragile to use efectively against sword and axes.
I think that this part was used against arrows and javelins, maybe spears - thats why its so light an large

Russ Ellis · Industry Professional

Chris Gilman · Posted: Thu 02 Oct, 2008 7:19 am Post subject:

Here is another example of the back view. The iron wrap on the cross guard is traditionally a bit earlier than Viking age. So is the edge reinforcing.

James Head

Mike West · Posted: Thu 02 Oct, 2008 2:49 pm Post subject: No arm strap?

Interesting. I've read several of Ewart Oakeshott's books and, he said that the shields of this time were worn with an arm strap.

This seems to conflict with the views written on this page.

How do we know wether their shields had, or did not have arm straps?

Chuck Russell · Posted: Thu 02 Oct, 2008 6:29 pm Post subject:

umm i do not know of any off hand that have an arm strap. that being said a large round should with a center grip i don't think would work very well with one either. you would not be able to move it very well to cover all the areas in a time of need or "punch". notice there is usually no rim, thus a sword/axe can or will get stuck in the shields edging... do you really want it that close to u when that happens? hehehe you can't jsut call hold while you unstrap it.

i highly recommend the Anglo Saxon shield book. also, check out Anglo Saxon Weapons and Warfare.

Russ Ellis · Industry Professional

Jim Adelsen · Industry Professional

I don't think we know if they had arm straps. I have sparred with and without an armstrap and there are benefits to both. I believe the Sutton Hoo shield (pre Viking Age) had evidence of an armstrap. Most shield finds are too decomposed to know if they had one or not.

D. Bell · Posted: Sat 04 Oct, 2008 7:42 pm Post subject:

Here's a picture taken from an 11th century Anglo-Saxon manuscript that clearly shows the shields are held in the hand, and not strapped to the arm.

Elling Polden · Posted: Sun 05 Oct, 2008 7:50 am Post subject:

While the viking shields dont have armstaps, they do have SHOULDER straps, or guiges, so they can be carried on the back, or hung on the shoulder.
Several different configurations where used, but if you plan on carrying or using the shield for longer periods of time the guige is a must.

Alex Pelkmann · Posted: Mon 06 Oct, 2008 1:51 pm Post subject:

Just new

http://www.kongensborge.dk/index_uk.php?pageid=seneste_nyt_uk