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Elling Polden




Location: Bergen, Norway
Joined: 19 Feb 2004
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PostPosted: Sun 28 Apr, 2013 12:49 pm    Post subject:         Reply with quote

The bucklers we have found are of a later, high medevial date. Long after the large roundshields where replaced by kites in the battle line.

As far as I know the smallest shield found from the viking age is about 75cm in diameter.

Exactly how they fought with them in single combat is open to discussion, Roland's interpretation works, but would differ radically from the posture used in the line. I use both the open, closed and forward guards based on situation.
Forward guard works well for keeping people at a distance, but also means that I have to close a long way to strike myself. And so on.

Some shields do have metal clamps on the edges at uneven intervals, and/or holes for stiches. But as far as I know there are no preserved exaples of edges with the cover intact. So one is left to guess exaclty how the edge section looked. Or what kind of hide was used on the shield. We tend to asume rawhide, as it is hard and relatively tough. However, if replacement cost was more important than durability a thinner hide/parchment would do the same job.

"this [fight] looks curious, almost like a game. See, they are looking around them before they fall, to find a dry spot to fall on, or they are falling on their shields. Can you see blood on their cloths and weapons? No. This must be trickery."
-Reidar Sendeman, from King Sverre's Saga, 1201
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Mark Griffin




Location: The Welsh Marches, in the hills above Newtown, Powys.
Joined: 28 Dec 2006

Posts: 802

PostPosted: Thu 02 May, 2013 4:48 am    Post subject:         Reply with quote

I'm not in any way advocating doggy chew for proper reconstruction work but I have to say, for a cheap and cheerful buckler for practice purposes a bit of ply with one of those doggy chew frisbees soaked then nailed on is great!
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Bryce Walker




Location: USA, Michigan
Joined: 22 Feb 2017

Posts: 1

PostPosted: Wed 22 Feb, 2017 6:04 am    Post subject:         Reply with quote

All of this information has been a huge help with me deciding on how to go about rimming my shield.
Sorry that I can't provide any more to this discussion, but I had wanted to at least voice my appreciation for so much.

I have been working on making a few traditional viking shields, still a work in progress.
My sources for anyone interested or happening to come across this for the same reason as I had.
I have used the following.
http://www.hurstwic.org/history/articles/manu...hields.htm
http://www.utlandstorm.org/Fighters/shield.htm
https://www.youtube.com/user/lindybeige
as well as this forum here.

Thanks again for the information.

Bryce
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Mark Moore




Location: East backwoods-assed Texas
Joined: 01 Oct 2003
Likes: 6 pages
Reading list: 1 book

Posts: 2,294

PostPosted: Wed 22 Feb, 2017 8:24 am    Post subject:         Reply with quote

I'm right with you, Bryce! I'm about to embark on a shield project myself, and yes, this has all been very helpful. Thanks everyone! Big Grin ......McM
''Life is like a box of chocolates...'' --- F. Gump
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Håvard Kongsrud




Location: Norge
Joined: 10 Mar 2015
Reading list: 3 books

Posts: 59

PostPosted: Wed 22 Feb, 2017 11:45 am    Post subject:         Reply with quote

Peter Messent wrote:
Matthew Bunker wrote:
Three metal bands on the back, nothing on metal rims that I recall.

Aye, in retrospect I believe you are correct. My mistake!

I can't seem to hit the priod in question, just before and after.
Iron rims 1170 are discussed here.
Fragment of iron age iron rim and handle C5151

Another irom rim fragment S5678o

Yet another possible shield iron rim. No dating (migration period dig in Vik, Hove? B1476
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