Targe Shield

By Crusader1307

From the Old English "to aim at", the Targe was indeed just that. In fact, it's name is were the word "target" derived from. This was the typical infantry shield from the 13th to 16th Centuries. Having a 18 to 21 inch circumference, the Targe was made of wood, reinforced with iron plating. The key to the Targe's strength was not it's plating, but in the cross layering of the wood. Mostly plain, some were embellished. The Targe was documented at The Battle of Culloden (1746). The shield became so much a National symbol to the Scots, that at one point - England outlawed  it's use.