1066 Norman Infantry Kite Shield Pressed Metal Construction History

1066 Norman Infantry Kite Shield Pressed Metal Construction History The shield. several different shield shapes are shown on the bayeux tapestry. the long kite shaped shield, typical of norman knights but also carried by norman foot soldiers, protected the whole body. it could be slung round the neck on a strap or carried on the left forearm when riding, leaving the left hand free for the reins. These are the 'classic' norman kite shields as seen across the bayeux tapestry a round topped kiteshield that is curved in section, which when resting on the ground reaches the user's mid torso (b on diagram). these shields may taper to a rounded or pointed lower terminus, and should measure 24" across their broadest point (some 12 13" from.

1066 Norman Knights Kite Shields Metal Embossed History In The M Shape and function. the kite shaped design of norman shields provided numerous tactical advantages. it protected a large portion of the body, especially when the normans used their cavalry tactics. moreover, the rounded top allowed for better vision and movement, while the tapered bottom reduced the shield’s weight. Norman style kite shield. [1]a kite shield is a large, almond shaped shield rounded at the top and curving down to a point or rounded point at the bottom. the term "kite shield" is a reference to the shield's unique shape, and is derived from its supposed similarity to a flying kite, although "leaf shaped shield" and "almond shield" have also been used in recent literature. [2]. 5. french knights. the basic weapon of the norman cavalry and infantry was a spear with a leaf shaped head of iron and a wooden haft, usually of ash. the only difference visible in contemporary illustrations between infantry and cavalry spears is that infantry spears sometimes appear thicker in the haft. both are often shown with a horizontal. 1485. 1837. 1939. two types of shields were in use in 1066. the latest type was the narrow, tapering shield (kite shield), which ran down the length of the body from neck to ankle, and, in effect, was an extension of body armour. the other type is like a target, round and heavier, with a central iron boss. it was used to cover the body in close.