What were medieval shields made from?

Answer 1

the moment the medieval era began, really.

shields have existed for milennia before the medieval age, from ancient Egypt, to Bronze age Celts, to Roman regions, to Dark Age Saxons, Vikings, through the medieval era, the renaissance buckler and jacobite targe, and on to a modern police officer's riot shield.

It could be argued, however, that the medieval European shield is a product of the Normans, who invaded and took England in 1066AD. Their use of horses in battle prompted the development of the "kite" shield, where the bottom part of the shield was extended into a teardrop shape to help protect the rider's legs.

Answer 2

There were many different types of shields during the Middle Ages, and the way they were used differed from region to region, time to time, and perhaps even from person to person.

During the Early Middle Ages in Western Europe, most peoples like the Vikings and Anglo-Saxons adopted the 'Shield Wall' formation for battle. Each Warrior would carry a wide round shield into battle. The Warriors would then form a line and hold each others shields next to each other so that they touched, in the process they'd form a 'wall' of shields which gave them better protection, because each Warrior was protected by the shields of the men on each side of him.

Cavalry during this early period carried 'Kite shields'. These had a wide brim at the top, which tapered down the end to give protection to the cavalryman's leg.

Later on shields used by Knights were usually smaller in length and size in comparison to the Kite shield, as the greaves worn by Knights gave their lower legs better protection.

As armour advanced during the Middle Ages, Knights came to use shields less and less, as by the 15th Century plate armor gave a Knight excellent protection, while his sword could be used to deflect blows. That said, shields continued to be used on the battlefield way into the 17th century, as soldiers such as the Austrian 'Roundschiers' carried circular metal shields into combat.

During Medieval sieges and Castle assaults, soldiers would used a large heavy shield called a Pavise for protection. Usually one man held the Pavise (which was rested on the ground), while another would use it for protection while loosing arrows or reloading their crossbows.

Answer 3

Shields were made of planks of wood butted together and glued; strong but supple woods such as ash, poplar or linden were preferred. The outer surface, the edge and sometimes the inner face of the shield were covered in tough cowhide or parchment.

Early medieval shields (used for example by Vikings and Saxons) were usually round with a central hole about 4.5 inches (110 mm) across cut out of the centre. On the inside was fixed a metal bar across this hole for the left hand to grasp and on the outside of the shield a domed iron boss was fitted to protect the hand.

By the 12th century this style of shield had become obsolete. It was replaced by a round-topped kite shield with a system of leather straps attached to the inner face for the hand and arm. Small metal bosses were retained, but they were simply leftovers from the earlier style and served no purpose.

By the later 12th century these kite shield began to be flattened at the top, the shield was now curved to the body and bosses disappeared.

In the early 13th century long kite shields gave way to shorter versions, still curved to the body and flat at the top; these shrank in size until the familiar "heater" shields of the 14th century appeared.

Shields continued to evolve, just like every other aspect of medieval life. With the arrival of full plate armour and the introduction of the first black powder weapons shields became obsolete and ceased to be made.

Answer 4

They were made from smart people being kewl.

Answer 5

Mostly wood, animal hides and metal.

Answer 6

Very slowly, with medieval (hand) tools.

Answer 7

Every type of wood.