Medieval Shields

Medieval shields recreate the shapes carried across Europe from the Viking Age to the age of knights and heraldry. This collection brings together handmade medieval shields for wall display, collecting, themed events and reenactment, from Viking-style round shields with a central boss to knight's heater shields painted in crusader colors. Compare each shield's shape, era and finish below, and pair it with our historical knives for a complete period display.

Medieval Shield Types and Shapes

Shield shapes changed through the Middle Ages as armor, horsemanship and the way people fought changed. Each shape is tied to an era and a region, so the outline of a shield tells you a lot about the period it represents. The types below are the most recognized medieval shield shapes, and they are the ones collectors and reenactors look for most when building a period display or kit.

Viking Round Shields

The round shield is the classic shield of the Viking Age and early medieval Northern Europe. It was built from wooden planks laid side by side, with a central metal boss covering a hole where the hand gripped the shield from behind. Surviving examples are large, most often around 80 to 95 cm (roughly 31 to 37 inches) across. Many were painted in bold solid colors or simple split and swirl designs. This collection includes a handmade Viking round shield in natural wood, hand-painted black with a central metal boss, made for wall display, collecting and Viking fairs.

Kite Shields

The kite shield appeared in the 11th century, with a rounded top tapering to a long point at the bottom. The extra length protected a rider's left leg on horseback, and kite shields are carried throughout the Bayeux Tapestry, which makes them closely linked with the Normans and the First Crusade era. A kite shield is the natural choice for an 11th- or 12th-century display.

Heater Shields

The heater shield is the shape most people picture as a knight's shield: a flat top with curved sides meeting at a point, shorter and lighter than the kite shield it developed from. It became common from the late 12th and 13th centuries, as better body armor made a full-length shield less necessary. The name is a modern one, from the shield's resemblance to the base of an old clothes iron. Heater shields became the main canvas for heraldry, which is why so many medieval shield designs, from family coats of arms to crusader crosses, sit on this shape. Here you'll find a hand-forged Knight Templar crusader heater shield with a red cross and a slightly aged finish.

Bucklers, Pavises and Jousting Shields

Several specialist shields round out the medieval period. The buckler is a small round shield held in the fist by a central grip, popular from the 13th to 16th centuries and often paired with a sword. The pavise is a large rectangular shield, sometimes stood up on the ground, associated with late medieval crossbowmen. The bouche is a late medieval tournament shield with a notch cut into one side to rest the lance. Each makes a distinctive piece for collectors who want something beyond the round and heater outlines.

Heraldry and Medieval Shield Designs

Designs on medieval shields were never just decoration. Early round shields carried simple painted patterns, but by the 12th century, painted shields were used to identify knights on the field and at tournaments, and these designs grew into the formal system of heraldry. Colors, crosses, stripes and animals were combined into arms that passed down through families.

The red cross is the best-known crusader symbol and is closely associated with the Knights Templar, who wore a red cross on white. When choosing a shield for display, consider whether you want a specific historical design, such as Templar or crusader colors, or a plainer finish you can treat as a period piece without a named owner.

Wood, Metal and Finish

Historical shields were mostly wood: planks for round shields and laminated or planked boards for kite and heater shields, often faced with leather, rawhide or linen and finished with paint. Metal was used for the boss on round shields and for rims or fittings, while all-metal shields were uncommon outside of small bucklers. Handmade shields today follow the same mix, with hand-painted or naturally aged surfaces chosen for a period look.

The finish shapes how a shield will sit in a room. A clean, freshly painted face looks like a shield just made for its owner, while an aged or distressed finish reads as an older piece that has seen use. Both suit wall display; pick the one that matches the rest of your collection.

Display, Reenactment and Events

Most buyers hang a medieval shield on the wall, above a fireplace or on a stand alongside swords, axes and knives from the same period. Wooden round shields and heater shields both work well on their own as a centerpiece or as the backdrop to a displayed blade. They also suit medieval fairs, Viking festivals and themed events, and make a distinctive gift for anyone interested in history. See our handmade gifts for more pieces in the same spirit.

For reenactment, check the event's rules and the shield's listing before you plan to use it. Living history groups often set requirements for weight, construction and period accuracy, and LARP events generally require foam-padded shields rather than rigid wood or metal. Handmade decorative shields are not made for contact sparring.

Building a Period Collection

A shield is often the piece that ties a historical collection together. A Viking round shield sits naturally beside Norse knives and jewelry, while a heater shield belongs with knights, crusader pieces and later medieval blades. For a Viking Age setup, add a blade from our Viking seax knives. For later periods, look for blades and decor from the same century, so the shield's shape and the weapon styles match the era.

Compare the medieval shields above by shape, era and finish, or browse our collectible knives to complete your display.

FAQs

FAQ About Medieval Shields

What are the main types of medieval shields?

The main medieval shield types are the round shield, the kite shield, the heater shield and the buckler, with specialist shapes such as the pavise and the bouche. Each is linked to a different period and use.

What is the difference between a heater shield and a kite shield?

A kite shield is long and tapers to a point to protect a rider's leg, and it dates from the 11th century. The heater shield came later, with a shorter, flat-topped shape that was lighter to carry.

Why is it called a heater shield?

The name is a modern one, given because the shape looks like the base of an old flat clothes iron, once called a heater. Medieval people simply called it a shield.

What were Viking shields made of?

Viking round shields were made from wooden planks with a central iron boss protecting the hand grip. Many were painted and some had leather or rawhide edging.

Can a wooden medieval shield be used for LARP?

Most LARP events require foam-padded shields for safety, so rigid wooden or metal shields are usually not allowed. Wooden shields suit display, events and some reenactment groups, depending on their rules.

How do you hang a medieval shield on the wall?

Use a sturdy wall hook or bracket rated for the shield's weight, or a dedicated shield stand. Hang it from its straps or grip where possible so the painted face stays undamaged.