Shields are must-have equipment for every Viking warrior. Vikings used it for both defensive and offensive purposes. It could be a matter of life and death for a Viking since it was extremely difficult to fight with edged weapons without a
shield. That being said, it’s a lifesaver! Let’s have a comprehensive overview of the anatomy of this renowned weapon.
Construction of shields
The construction of the Viking shield is followed by a common pattern. The built of every shield is almost the same with minimal differences in adornment and materials. They were made largely from wood while a few of them had added metal, fabric or leather in diverse forms and utilities. The main body of the weapon is built from wooden pieces split along the grain offering exceptional strength and rigidity. The common wood types frequently include local trees and lighter timbers such as spruce and linden.
The Boss
The center of the Viking battler shield is the Boss. It’s an iron shaped dome protector providing an excellent level of safety for the hand in case the defensive weapon gets struck or hit. The dimensions of the boss is an important consideration for better protection. Typically, Viking shields were approximately 15 cm in diameter. The shape of the boss varies from a perfect dome to a flat surface head.
Hand Grip
To hold the weapon effectively, it requires a handgrip. These grips are usually built from wood and affixed to the shield with secures along with its strength. Some evidence suggests that metal handgrips were used while in other cases the boss itself featured a small built-in hand grip.
Rim
Typically, this Viking guard has a piece of leather or animal skin on its rim. The rim was important for several reasons. It adds rigidity to the weapon and keeps the construction sturdy in the long term. Also, it makes the shield perform impressively under stress. The additional strength keeps it all in one piece. Small tacks, small nails or even iron clips secure the rim is secured to the weapon.
Coverings
Viking warriors used shields that were prone to cracking or splitting when attacked with sharp-edged weapons such as an ax. A practical way to strengthen it is to put a covering. The covering primarily comprises of leather or fabric. Not only it provided additional rigidity but also held the wood together in cases of sharp object penetration. Though according to many historians, Viking shields would never have been covered.
During wars, the Viking warriors would wield their shield for saving their life or resolving the fight with a single strike. It was still a primary defensive weapon, and in battles, the warriors would have ensured they kept the shield defending their torso at all times along with attacking movements.
