Kite Shield

By Crusader1307

A distinctive design of battle shield seen in the 10th Century. Made in a tear drop shape (with later variations being flattened on top) - and pointed on the bottom. It resembled a huge kite (as first described by Victorian historians). It is unsure if it's users called it anything but a "shield". It's main design was to provide completed, full body protection to it's users right or left flank. They could be easily incorporated into "the Shield Wall" tactic. Prior to it's development, most Medieval shields were rounded (and thus causing difficulty in using the same technique.) Considered an innovation, the Kite Shield began to incorporate an inside leather strap shield, that could be used to drape or wear the Kite over ones back. The design (downward slope), also distributed the shield weight in such a way as to not cause undue stress on the users carrying arm. The Kite was about 4 to 5 feet in length, they were also either plain or decorated. One of the most famous sorces of documentation of the Kite is found on the Bayeux Tapestry.