How to Make a Viking Shield
The edging, rim, and boss of a Viking shield will make this weapon even more deadly. Learn how to construct a viking shield with these tips. A good viking shield is made of a combination of iron and wood. The hand grip was typically made from wood or iron, with a leather rim to prevent it from splitting. Learn how to make a boss for a Viking shield and make it look as authentic as possible.
viking shield construction
Although there is no definitive evidence for the construction of Viking shields, literary accounts and Gulathing laws suggest that the weapons used by the Scandinavian warriors were made from solid butted planks. If they were made of laminated wood, the evidence for this is a bit shaky, but that doesn't mean that they weren't made from wood. To learn more about Viking shield construction, read the following article by Stephen Hand.
The typical Viking shield was round and was around thirty to thirty-five centimeters in diameter, but varies from one individual warrior to the next. Some shields were even 48 inches in diameter. Viking shields were often made of linden wood, but other types of wood were also used. The size of the shields was adjusted according to the size of the warrior who wore it. Most Viking shields weighed between three and five kilograms.
viking shield edging
A key characteristic of a Viking shield is the edging. While this detail may not seem important at first glance, it is incredibly important to the performance of the shield. Vikings did not split wood into planks, instead, they split logs along the grain to maximize the strength and flexibility. In England, for example, they preferred to use linden wood, while Scandinavians preferred conifers like fir.
This edge should be secured with multiple iron nails. Traditionally, Vikings held the edges of their shields in their original metal color, as the planks made up 80% of the shield. Because these planks were the first thing that a warrior would have to display, their colors were very important. Hence, the Vikings used multiple iron nails to secure the edges. This practice is similar to the way boxers hold their shields today.
viking shield rim
There are several different materials used to make the rim of a Viking shield. Wood, sheep's leather, and even iron were commonly used. The leather was then wrapped around the shield rim to prevent it from splitting and to strengthen the planks. Because leather is heavy, this type of construction is not commonly found today, but some Viking shields have these materials. However, the most important factor in choosing a Viking shield rim is the style and material.
A Viking shield with a steel rim has a diameter of 74 cm and is 13 mm thick. The shield rim has a conical steel boss, an inner surface made of felt, and an arm loop for carrying. This type of rim can be a replacement for a broken shield. Viking shields may have been re-purposed as a money-making tool, but the rim is the most common type.
viking shield boss
A probable Viking shield boss has been excavated in Repton, Derbyshire, as evidence of the Great Army of the Vikings overwintering in the area in 873. This type of shield is usually made of wood glued together and covered in linen and rawhide with a metal boss attached to protect the user's hand in combat. An original Viking shield boss can be seen at the Derby Museum and Art Gallery. However, the boss used today is not the original.
The Vikings used shields in battle, with the boss protecting the hand of the warrior. These shields were made of thin planking, and the shield boss, a cylindrical dome of iron, was the only part of the shield preserved after a thousand years. The Vikings crafted their shields in various shapes and sizes, and many of them were used in formations to protect their hands. The Vikings used wood from fir, adler, poplar, and linden, which was often covered with linen. They also added a rawhide rim to their shields to increase durability.
viking shield size
A typical Viking shield was between 80 and 90 centimeters in diameter. Some shields were as large as 94 centimeters, but there are remnants of smaller ones as well. Men often sized their shields based on their body size and style of fighting. Shields must be large enough to protect them but not too large that they are unwieldy. Here are some examples of Viking shield sizes. And keep in mind that the larger the Viking shield, the more powerful it will be!
The earliest evidence for Viking shield size is archaeological. Although most Viking shields were made of horn or metal, many other sources have been uncovered. The earliest evidence for shields dating from the Viking age comes from skaldic poetry. Snorri Sturluson argues that the Vikings wore round shields. He also states that the word'shield' meant a circle, so it would be fitting to refer to the shield as a circle in poetry.
viking shield colour
The Vikings used a variety of colours for their shields. The red and black patterns found on a shield of the 10th century may have been made from gesso paint. Alternatively, the colouring could be from painted segments. Regardless of the colour, Viking shields can be identified by their contrasting patterns. The colours are often influenced by the surrounding materials. The red and white patterns seen on a 10th-century shield from the Gokstad ship burial are also examples of coloured metal parts.
The colours of Viking shields are highly distinctive. Red shields tended to signal war, while the white ones reflected peace. There are several reasons why Viking shields were painted, with red and white being the most common colours. Archeological finds in the area have revealed that paints were often applied to shields that had been lost to battle. Paints could also help secure the weak points of the shield. Despite their importance, shields painted with different colors may have had different functions.
