how big would a medieval shield be?
Query by blackfinale: how massive would a medieval shield be?
Greatest reply:
Answer by Jess
Given that most men and women then averaged about 5 foot in height, the shield would be four foot if it was meant to cover most of the body (the head, of program, being previously mentioned the shield). If it was meant to ward off mace, sword, spear and knives, it would be about a few ft or less, relying on how effectively the man meant to manuever it. Decorative shields on the wall, of training course, have been greater, to be noticed much better. And a horseman would have a larger shield to aid shield his mount. All shields had a bend or curve to them to direct the weapon absent and ended up painted with the loved ones crest, some intense creature or some pattern identifying the soldier.
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There is no set size for a shield actually, it depends on the kind of shield, it’s not that hard to find measurements, it depends on what you’re looking for just look em’ up online.
It depends mostly on the time period, the type of weapon it was meant to defend against, and the fighting style, country, and military position of the soldier using it. However the basic sheild that people think of when they thikn of medieval soldiers is shaped like a shield (pointy bottom and flat across the top) The point on the bottom would have come to the fighter’s knee and the top would cover the shoulder while he was in a fighting position ( a slight crouch) The sheild itself would have been curved, not flat in order to deflect blows away from the fighter.
Another typical shield was a huge rectangular thing (also curved) that covered from ankle to armpit while the fighter was standing. This shield was not used for one on one combat thoug becuase it would have been to bulky and difficult to maneuver. Instead this was used in a line of others to create a shield wall to protect soldiers behind- usually guys with spears or pole arms . The shiled could be rested on the ground and the fighter still fight over top of it, but his movement would have been limited. If the shield wall was broken and hand to hand combat broke out, he may have likely would have switched to the first shield I was talking about.
There are also a slew of round shields, or long oval shields that were used in the eastern empires though gained popularity in Europe after the Crusades.
It really depends on what specifically you are looking for