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Main => The Armoury => Topic started by: Sir Patrick on 2014-09-24, 22:48:22

Title: Kite Shield Question
Post by: Sir Patrick on 2014-09-24, 22:48:22

This may be a stupid question, but is a kite shield with a boss held by a center handle, like a Viking shield, or strapped like a standard heater shield?  I notice some have bosses and some don't. Does the boss drop off and strapping evolve over time somehow?

Title: Re: Kite Shield Question
Post by: Henrik Granlid on 2014-09-24, 23:17:27

To my knowledge, strapping begins life as a cavalry version, whereas center-grips remain as an infantry option. It later turns into the occasional centergrip heater or later dueling shields, but as shields grow smaller than shoulder-height, the new strapping takes over for infantry as well.

Title: Re: Kite Shield Question
Post by: Mike W. on 2014-09-25, 17:13:35

They are shown as straps in this section of the Bayeux Tapestry
(http://lostdelights.files.wordpress.com/2012/08/kiteshield3back.png)