"10th Century vs Earlier Shields (Saxons & Vikings)" Topic
8 Posts
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DukeWacoan | 29 Sep 2012 9:58 a.m. PST |
So I'm about to start on the shields for my 40mm Dark Ages skirmish. I'm doing Normans, Saxons and Vikings. Since I'm including Normans, I'm assuming I need to only look at 11th Century shields and ignore those suggested for "early" periods? A few questions - Early Saxon vs 11th Century Saxons – my guess is that Christian symbols and crosses would become more prevalent? So if I am having Normans involved, I need to ignore suggested shields for "Early Saxons"? Early Vikings vs 11th Century Vikings – What would be the difference? Starting the appearance of crosses? Thanks |
MajorB | 29 Sep 2012 10:05 a.m. PST |
Since I'm including Normans, I'm assuming I need to only look at 10th Century shields and ignore those suggested for "early" periods? If you're including Normans then you want 11th century, not 10th century. |
DukeWacoan | 29 Sep 2012 10:12 a.m. PST |
Sorry, I'm a dummy. Meant 11th Century. I'm using 1st Crusades designs for the Normans in part. |
MajorB | 29 Sep 2012 10:28 a.m. PST |
Early Saxon vs 11th Century Saxons – my guess is that Christian symbols and crosses would become more prevalent? So if I am having Normans involved, I need to ignore suggested shields for "Early Saxons"? The Saxons were largely Christianised by the 9th century. Early Vikings vs 11th Century Vikings – What would be the difference? Starting the appearance of crosses? Generally speaking, the Vikings remained pagan until they settled in the British Isles and became "Danes". So by the time of the Norman Conquest the Vikings that had settled in this country had been more or less assimilated into a Christian Anglo-Danish country. |
Dave Crowell | 29 Sep 2012 3:17 p.m. PST |
The Bayeux Tapestry should be a good source of shield designs. I expect that many of he geometric motifs of earlier centuries would still be used. Geometry provides quick and easy shield decor without a lot of symbolism. |
Last Hussar | 30 Sep 2012 3:44 a.m. PST |
Trying to remember 16 years ago when I last re-enacted 9th cent. I know you said 11th cent, but us Christian 9th cent Angles didn't have Christian symbols, so I don't think its a given. |
Last Hussar | 30 Sep 2012 3:54 a.m. PST |
Addendum- Looking at various sites on the net I can see no real design: The Not made in Bayeux not a tapestry is only good for Saxon shields (the Normans are coming from the left, so their shield is on the other side) and they seem to be mostly circles. My suggestion is 'Field'of a simple colour – Reds from rust through to terracotta (the dark red paint lightens over time) greens, blues and creams, or even leather. Edge with a leather colour (for the rawhide – iron rims go spikey after a few chops, not something you want near your face!) The sources seem to show most designs as triangles of 10 circles, pointing down, with the boss as part of this. If in doubt leave the fields plain – you can add the designs quite easily on 40mm at a latter date (unlike say close based 10mm) |
Lewisgunner | 30 Sep 2012 11:55 p.m. PST |
I am puzzled , there are plenty of Norman shields on the Bayeux Tapestry as the Normans are shown from both directions. A later source has 'Norman's ' with red shields and another refers to them as having 'red wings' . Crosses are just fine as devices, one slightly earlier Norse king having his mean paving white crosses on their shields. Another useful shield colour is creamy white with variations to beige and light brown as the natural colour of the stretched animal skin that was used for facing the shield. Roy |
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