REPLICA WOODEN VIKING SHIELD. BEOWULF & GRENDEL MOVIE

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In the Viking age,since helmet and mail were expensive, due to the cost and limited availability of iron, there were probably many combatants using only a shield for defense. Fighting men used large, round, wooden shields gripped in the center from behind an iron boss. Historical shields from the Oseberg and Gokstad ships are shown above. The Norwegian Gulaþing laws specify the construction of a shield. The shield should be made of wood with three iron bands and a handle fastened to the back side by iron nails. A later revision of the law says that the shield should be made of a double layer of boards (tvibyrðr), and the front should be painted red and whiteA few shields have survived from the Viking age, notably the shields from the Gokstad ship, which date from the 10^th century. The ship was equipped with 32 shields, several of which survive intact. They were made from a single layer of planks butted together, with no iron bands, and the fronts were painted black and yellow. Typical Viking shields were 80-90cm (32-36 inches) in diameter. Some were larger, such as the Gokstad shields, which were 94cm (37in) across. Based on surviving remnants, some of the smaller shields appear to have been as small as 70cm (28in) in diameter. At the end of the Viking era, kite shields were used. Their shape helped protect a fighter while riding on the back of a horse. Other kinds of shields are mentioned in the sagas, including targa (target) and buklari (buckler), Overwhelmingly, the archaeological evidence, although sparse, supports only the use of large round shields in the Viking age.

All the surviving examples are made from solid butted planks, although literary evidence, suggests that shields were made of laminated wood. No archaeological evidence supports this style of construction during the Viking era in Norse lands. Surviving shields are made from spruce, fir, or pine. Again, literary evidence contradicts and suggests that shields were made with linden wood (Tilia, commonly known as basswood in North America). The word lind (linden) is used to mean "shield" in poems and the term lindiskjöldr (linden shield) is used in some sagas. Linden certainly has advantages over other species of wood for shield use. It is lightweight and does not split as readily under impact as do other types of wood. The Gokstad shields were approximately 7mm (1/4in) thick near the center and were chamfered so they were thinner at the edges. Most surviving shields are in the range between 6mm (1/4in) and 12mm (1/2in) thick, although shields thicker than 30mm (1-1/8in) have been found. At the center of the shield was a domed iron boss, which protected the hand. Bosses were typically 15cm (6in) in diameter and had a thickness of 3 to 5mm (about 0.1 to 0.2in, or between 6 and 10 gauge). The boss must be large enough to comfortably admit the hand and allow the shield to shift freely around the hand as the combatant moves the shield from one side to the other. Earlier bosses were hemispherical, while later bosses were more flattened. Some bosses had a cylindrical neck between the flange and the dome.Flanges were usually round, although bosses with more elaborately shaped flanges, such as toothed flanges, have been found. Broad headed iron nails passed through the flange and were either flattened, or clenched (bent over) on the reverse side of the shield to hold the boss in place. The shield was gripped from the inside of the boss. The arm did not slip through any straps, and as a result, the shield could be rotated freely from side to side. The handgrip typically ran the full diameter of the shield. Many shields used a simple wooden handgrip while some used wood in combination with iron, nailed to the shield. Some of the surviving iron handgrips are decorated with silver or bronze. Although the Gulaþing laws required three iron reinforcing bars on the back of the shield, archaeological evidence is very slight. If they were used at all, these reinforcements would have added strength to the shield and served to hold the plywood or planking together. The shield was probably rimmed with leather or rawhide to keep the shield from splitting when hit on edge. The edging helped to bind the shield together, as well, since the leather shrunk after it was installed, forcing the planks more tightly together. The Gokstad shields have a series of small holes all around the periphery of the shields. It is thought that the leather edging was held in place on these shields either with iron nails, or with stitching that passed through these holes. Some shields have evidence of iron or bronze clamps around the edge, perhaps to hold the leather edging in place. Occasionally, these clamps were not uniformly distributed around the edge of the shield, suggesting that they were used to reinforce and protect a damaged edge. Although in some sagas there's metion to iron rimmed shields, there is negligible archaeological evidence for it. A leather sling, used to carry the shield over the shoulder was a common issue. Findings of hinged and ringed nails and rivets suggest them as the attaching points for leather slings. There are many instances in the stories in which a fighter threw his shield over his back in order to wield his weapon with two hands. Shields were slung over the shoulder when not in combat, as well. The front of some shields may have been covered with leather or linen in most cases glued with hide and resins to the shields' planking. It would have made the shield more resistant to the impact of weapons, holding the structure together even if the wood splits. Some surviving shields show evidence of paint (mineral pigments ground into an oil base) on the wood surface, suggesting that they were not covered. Either way, shields were probably painted and decorated. The shields on the Gokstad ship were painted black and yellow. Even if a shield were not decorated, it is highly likely that it would be sealed with oil so that it repelled and resisted water. A shield that soaked up water from rain or sea spray could easily double in weight, becoming so heavy and waterlogged as to be nearly useless.

The use of shields was nearly universal in Viking combat. Someone without a shield would be, quite literally, defenseless, and would likely be cut down very quickly. So, most every fighting man had a shield. They were used to cover from missile weapons such as arrows and stones and to deflect the blows of hand-held weapons. Actively, the sheld could be used to strike blows at the enemy. The shield could and did break in combat, people expecting to be in a protracted fight such as a duel might have several shields on hand. Shields were treated differently than other weapons, perhaps because they were so disposable. Shields apparently were not named, in the way that swords, mail, and other weapons were. Shields had uses outside of combat. Elaborately decorated shields, carved with scenes from legends, overlaid with gold, and set with jewels. were given as gifts and were also used as decorations inside the longhouse hung on its walls and pillars. Shields were used as stretchers, to carry away men wounded in combat. On board ship, shields were arrayed along the gunwales, providing some additional protection from wind and waves to the crew.

The Prow of the Gokstad, not long after it was first unearthed showing the use of shields on a boat's board.

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THIS AUCTION ONLY INCLUDES THE WOODEN VIKING SHIELD. ALL OTHER ITEMS WORE BY THE MODEL IN PICTURES ARE FOR SALE OR AUCTION ON DIFERENT PAGES.

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This viking shield is a wonderful and acurate replica of an early Viking shield. Made from thick, primed hardwood, the shield is probably stronger than the actual shields made in the 8th to 11th centuries. It's most prominent feature is the steel rim, a feature that was found in only the most extravagant of Viking shields. The shield also features a hemispherical steel boss on the front, used by the Vikings to protect their hands against blows that made it through the wood of the shield. Both steel features are made of 14G steel and attached to the shield planks with steel rivets for more durability and strength. The back of the shield shows a hardwood handgrip with tapered tips running almost from edge to edge steel-riveted to the boards, adding strength to the shield. A flexible but strong leather sling ataches to the ends of the handgrip with nailed brass loops and ensures a firm grip if the shield is carried over the shoulder or  wall-hung for display. The wood is ready for decoration according to the warriors choice as it is only primed with a clear coat of matte wood preserver.

Brilliantly designed and masterfully crafted by a well known arms and armor manufacturer, provider of hundreds of props to the film industry, Valentine Armouries(VA), this shield is similar to the ones VA provided for the production of the film "Beowulf and Grendel" as you can notice and compare on the picture showing a scene of the film and the one of the advertizing page from VA website for their "Viking and Norman" line of production. Although manufactured by VA and similar items were used on the production of the film "Beowulf and Grendel", this sale is in no way representing, related nor associated with the film, its production or distribution nor with Valentine Armouries 

 This shield will be a great addition to any Viking Age collection and a great treasure to collectors and reenactors.

~~Features:

Diameter: 28-1/4"

Plank thickness: 3/4"

Metallic fittings: 14G carbon steel

Weight: 12 lbs.

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Dear eswmstore, Very nice looking shield. Are you the original owner? Was this a custom order? Can't seem to find any other reference for Valentine making these. True hardwood plank, not painted or routed to look planked? Any additional info is welcome. This would go great with my kit. Thanks. - ulfdan ============================================= Hello ulfdan, Thank you for your interest in our items. it is a very handsome shield indeed! We are not its ownes. we are helping the family of the original owner, a recently deceased weapons collector and re-enactor to sell his collection. He bought it from Valentine Armouries around 10 yrs ago. Since VA don't usually carry in-stock items it was probably a custom order or he might have seen their samples on their website and placed the order for it. it is made of true hardwood planks, seems like oak, bound together by the steel edge rim and the arms of the handle piece, like the real ones seem to have been manufactured during viking age. There is no paint on it, only primed with some clear wood preserver. There is not much to say about it. we are not experts in the matter and we rely on th family's information and the owner's notes about the items. This is a piece you will definitely love. If you still need some more information do not hesitate to ask. We'll try to get and transmit the best posible response to your questions. Thanks again for watching it. We hope you treasure it as its late owner did. The family, althought giving its collection for sale, really feel good knowing someone who loves these items with so much pasion and understanding of their meaning gets them. Good luck with the bidding. Best regards, Suppport @ ESWM