Kite Shields
Kite Shields |
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A shield in the shape of a child’s flying kite and curved in the horizontal plane.
These seem to originate from Byzantium. There use in Western Europe can be seen xxxx xxxx. The first illustration from England is xxx xxx.
It is assumed that the kite shield was introduced into England with the arrival of King Edward the Confessors Norman retinue.
No examples are known from archaeology although a possible kite shield is known from Arnold of Brienz 1200AD, 109cm high. 67cm wide. 1.5cm thick.
Kite shields with boss
Art
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Literature
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Archaeology
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Discussion
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Kite shields with no boss
Art
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Literature
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Archaeology
- Arnold of Brienz, c.1200AD
Discussion
A possible kite shield is known from Arnold of Brienz 1200AD, 109cm high. 67cm wide. 1.5cm thick
Flat top kite shield
These appear from about 1180AD.
Art
Lewis chessmen C12th [ROESDAHL & WILSON 1992]:p.104, 390 Cat.615
Literature
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Archaeology
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Discussion
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Kite shield strapping
Art
- Centaur on Cambs, Corpus Christi, Bury Bible, MS2 fol.1v c.1135AD [DODWELL 1993]:p.342
- Great seal from king Henry I, 1100-1135
- Goliath from the Bible of St. Etienne, 1109-1111AD
- Seal of William the Conqueror
- Bayeux Tapestry c.1086AD
Literature
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Archaeology
None
Discussion
With the exception of the elaborate strapping styles depicted on the Bayeux tapestry, kite shields seem to be depicted hung from a shoulder (gee) strap with a single grip strap.
Kite shield bosses (umbo)
Kite shield decoration
Zoomorphic animals
Art
- Bayeux Tapestry. The Normans are occasionally represented with zoomorphic animals but never the English.
Cross
Art
- Bayeux Tapestry. Both the normans and the English are represented with cross designs on their shields.
Shield edging
see Round Shields
References