![]() ![]() The selected thickness aimed to provide optimum protection from blows, arrows, and other battlefield threats while ensuring that the shield remained light enough for prolonged use in combat and easily maneuvered, whether on foot or horseback. Metal reinforcements, if present at the edges or as a central boss, didn’t significantly alter the overall thickness but notably enhanced the shield’s robustness. This core was then typically covered with leather or canvas, adding slight thickness and increasing the shield’s durability and resistance against splitting or shattering upon impact. The primary component, a wooden core, was often made from planks glued together in layers, ensuring structural rigidity. On average, kite shields ranged from 0.5 to 1 inch (about 12 to 25 mm) thick. The thickness of kite shields was a crucial aspect of their design, ensuring a balance between protective capability and manageability. While sturdy enough to provide effective defense against various threats on the medieval battlefield, the kite shield was designed to emphasize ease of use and maneuverability. The balance between protection and portability was a significant consideration in its design. However, the kite shield needed to remain manageable, especially since knights and soldiers had to bear it for extended periods, often while on horseback. The shield’s center often featured a metal boss, further contributing to its overall weight. Some might be edged or reinforced with metal strips, adding additional weight. Constructed primarily from a wooden core overlaid with leather or canvas, the kite shield’s design was inherently lightweight to ensure mobility. The weight of kite shields varied based on their size, materials used, and the degree of reinforcement, but typically, they weighed between 7 to 15 pounds (3 to 7 kilograms). Some kite shields, however, had arm straps instead of a center grip, allowing the user to strap the shield to the forearm. This design enabled knights and soldiers to protect their legs while on horseback.īoss and Grip : The shield’s center often featured a boss-a protruding metal dome-protecting the hand gripping the shield. Shape : The kite shield had a distinctive teardrop or almond shape, rounded at the top and tapering down to a point at the bottom. The edges might be bound with metal for extra strength. A wooden core was often covered with a layer of leather or canvas, providing added durability and allowing for easy decoration. Materials : The primary materials used for the kite shield were wood, leather, and sometimes metal. The evolution from the round shield to the kite shield reflects a period when cavalry began to play a more dominant role in warfare. Its unique shape was likely inspired by earlier rounded and oval shields but improved upon to provide better leg protection. The kite shield, recognizable for its elongated, tapering form, first appeared during the early medieval period. This article delves deep into the history, design, usage, and cultural significance of the kite shield. Amidst this backdrop, the kite shield emerged as an iconic symbol of the period. The Middle Ages, spanning roughly from the 5th to the late 15th century, was an era of relentless wars, chivalrous knights, and breathtaking architectural feats. ![]()
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