What are the different shield shapes?
Shields have been used as defensive weapons and protection for thousands of years across many cultures. The shape and design of shields evolved over time as materials and tactics changed. There are several common shield shapes that were used historically:
Round Shield
The round shield is one of the earliest and most basic shield designs. It consists of a circular shield face with a metal boss or umbo in the center. The boss helped deflect blows and could also be used for punching or offensive maneuvers. Round shields were common among many ancient cultures including the Greeks, Romans, Celts, and Vikings. They provided good overall coverage but less protection for side blows compared to other designs. Some key advantages of round shields:
- Full coverage when facing opponent head-on
- Can be maneuvered and rotated easily
- Lightweight design
Some examples of round shields include the Greek aspis, Roman clipeus, and Viking round shield. The aspis was a concave shield made of wood or bronze while the clipeus was an oval shield of wood and leather. Viking round shields were commonly made of wood and had a metal center boss.
Kite Shield
The kite shield emerged in Europe in the 11th century and was widely used by knights and heavy infantry. It is shaped like a teardrop or diamond and provided better protection from blows than a round shield while still allowing mobility. Kite shields cover the entire body when facing forward but also protect the side of the body due to their elongated shape. Some features of kite shields:
- Elongated top protects head and neck
- Wider shape protects side of body
- Usually made of wood covered in leather/rawhide
- Had enarmes on back to grip shield
Kite shields were commonly used by Norman soldiers and knights during the Middle Ages. They were often decorated with the coat of arms of the wielder. Later large kite shields evolved into smaller heater shields as armor improved.
Heater Shield
The heater shield emerged in the 12th century as an evolution of the kite shield. It is completely flat with a rounded top and straight or slightly angled sides. Heater shields provide excellent protection for the torso and neck while still being light enough to allow mobility. Key features include:
- Flat shape provides maximum frontal coverage
- Curved top protects neck and head
- Straight sides protect arm and side
- Made of wood and leather or metal
Heater shields were widely used by knights, men-at-arms, and foot soldiers in the Middle Ages. They gradually fell out of use as plate armor improved but saw a revival with 19th century units carrying shields.
| Shield Type | Shape | Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|---|---|
| Round | Circular | Maneuverability, lightweight | Less side protection |
| Kite | Teardrop | Head/neck protection, some side protection | Slightly heavier |
| Heater | Flat top, straight sides | Max frontal protection, lighter than kite | Less maneuverable |
Oval Shield
Oval shields are similar to round shields but have an elongated shape. This allowed better protection against downward blows compared to a circle. Oval shields could be used on horseback as the shape allowed the rider’s leg room to sit. They also provided some additional coverage of the side compared to rounds. Key attributes include:
- Elongated shape compared to round shields
- Good protection from downward blows
- Works well on horseback
- Used by cavalry and officers
Prominent oval shields include the Roman scutum which was the classic shield of legionaries. It was made of laminated wood and leather. Light oval shields were also used by Sassanian Persian cavalry.
Tower Shield
The tower shield is a massive shield designed to provide maximum protection to infantry troops. It emerged in the late Roman period and is characterized by a near full height with a flat top and vertical orientation. Tower shields completely covered the user from head to toe. Key features:
- Huge shield covering entire body
- Flat top and vertical sides
- Heavy and cumbersome
- Used by infantry for defense
The tower shield required great strength and stamina to maneuver in battle. Soldiers had to work as a coordinated unit while protected by tower shields during advances and attacks. Tower shields went out of favor as more flexible armor and tactics emerged.
Pavise Shield
The pavise is a large convex shield used primarily for defensive purposes. It was commonly used by crossbowmen who planted the shield in the ground to provide cover while reloading. Key attributes include:
- Large and heavy convex shield
- Planted in ground as defensive emplacement
- Used by crossbowmen for cover
- Made of wood with leather covering
Pavises emerged in the late Middle Ages and were carried by specialized troops. They were so heavy that they were placed on stands or planted in the ground rather than held up continuously. Pavises gradually faded from use as ranged warfare tactics evolved.
| Shield Type | Shape | Size | Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tower | Flat top, vertical | Very large | Heavy infantry |
| Pavise | Convex | Large | Crossbowmen |
| Oval | Elongated circle | Medium | Cavalry, officers |
Buckler Shield
The buckler is a small round shield used for hand-to-hand combat and dueling. It originated in the Renaissance period and was used by common soldiers and civilian self-defense. Key features include:
- Small round shield 6-18 inches diameter
- Held in fist with handle
- Maneuverable for parrying
- Used with shortswords and rapiers
Bucklers were light and easily carried at the belt. Their small size allowed the user to wield another weapon like a sword or axe in the other hand. Bucklers fell out of fashion as armor improved but saw a revival by duelists and civilian self-defense in later periods.
Targe Shield
The targe was a common shield used in medieval Scotland. It had a small round shape like a buckler but was constructed of thicker wood making it more durable. Key attributes of targes:
- Round wooden shield of about 2 feet diameter
- Thicker and studier than buckler
- Center metal boss or spike
- Used by Scottish highlanders and archers
Targes provided good protection against sword blows and could be used offensively with the spike in close combat. Highlanders often used a smaller dirk knife in the other hand while wielding a targe.
| Shield | Shape | Size | Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buckler | Round | 6-18 inches | Fencing, dueling |
| Targe | Round | 2 feet | Scottish infantry |
Conclusion
Shields have served as an essential means of protection across centuries and cultures. From the round aspis shields of Greek hoplites to the kite shields of Norman knights, many iconic shield types emerged. Light maneuverable shields like the buckler allowed dual wielding of weapons. Massive shields like the tower shielded provided mobile cover for infantry but required teamwork to maneuver. Shield design evolved hand in hand with improvements in weapons and tactics. Their shapes directly influenced the defense and fighting capabilities of soldiers who carried them. Understanding the different major shield shapes and their tactical use provides insight into the evolving nature of warfare and defense through history.