Summary: Ok, today we’re going to talk about defensive equipment. What is the point of all that training if you’re going to die right away in battle. So we’ll need a way to keep you alive and healthy for as long as possible. As you might imagine, the shield, or bord in Old English, is a key piece of equipment in Anglo Saxon warfare. And unsurprisingly, the shield is one of the most common items of found in graves from the pagan period. Though that is probably not a surprise for you, since we’ve already discussed the most widely known Anglo Saxon battle tactic: the shieldwall. But the funny thing is that you might not be aware of how the Anglo Saxon shields actually worked. I mean, sure, they worked by blocking an attacker. And they were made up, primarily, of lathes of hardwood with a metal or leather rim. So you probably DO understand the basic bit. But it’s common to imagine shields, especially large shields, with an arm band and a handle set off-center. Like a riot shield. And that makes sense because it gives you better leverage and control. But that’s not the way Anglo Saxon shields worked. Rather, they just had a handle in the middle.
