16th century round shield

Lee · 3rd November 2025, 09:39 AM

I strongly suspect that the shoulder strap shown in Triarii's upper image would have been absolutely obligatory for carrying my example. Unfortunately, other than the rivets, nothing of the suspension has survived.

Here is another example of a top end example of these shields at the Met: https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/27247

Lee · 3rd November 2025, 07:41 PM

My curiosity finally overcame fears of the hassle of taking my shield down from where it has hung undisturbed for at least a decade. It weighs 15.2 pounds (6.9 kg). I found marks, pictured below, that I interpret as being for Nuremberg. A layer of iron has fully delaminated in one of the images of the back. As I said on my first post: munitions grade.
https://european-armour.com/Marks.html

Marcus den toom · 7th November 2025, 08:26 PM

That looks great Lee!!! The Nuremberg marks look like those of 1570s firearms.
Would you know what kind of "troops" would be equiped with such shields?

The shoulderstrap would help alot with carrying a heavy shield. It would be interesting to see how it will affect the way you can move thr shield around.
I think my shield would lack such a strap, i will try to weigh my shield but would estimate 5 kilos.

Triarii · 21st November 2025, 09:19 AM

I wonder if the use for the heavy one is for some form of bodyguard - like the ones Henry VIII of England had made, though some had pistols in them.

On the shoulder strap, for marching about you can hang it under your arm.
I've not found it an issue in a series of reenactment battles as a rodelero.

This month my HEMA club has been running another block of rotella and sidesword training and sparring, and the strap is not a problem in using it (the rotella is usually advanced forward at an angle to the body, with occasional lifts up and to the right towards the opponents sword if you're going for a leg cut). Very practical.

You definitely need the adjustment for the forearm strap as wearing armour makes a real difference.

3rd November 2025, 09:39 AM	#1
Lee EAAF Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Upstate New York, USA Posts: 980	I strongly suspect that the shoulder strap shown in Triarii's upper image would have been absolutely obligatory for carrying my example. Unfortunately, other than the rivets, nothing of the suspension has survived. Here is another example of a top end example of these shields at the Met: https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/27247 Attached Images

3rd November 2025, 07:41 PM	#2
Lee EAAF Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Upstate New York, USA Posts: 980	My curiosity finally overcame fears of the hassle of taking my shield down from where it has hung undisturbed for at least a decade. It weighs 15.2 pounds (6.9 kg). I found marks, pictured below, that I interpret as being for Nuremberg. A layer of iron has fully delaminated in one of the images of the back. As I said on my first post: munitions grade. https://european-armour.com/Marks.html Attached Images

7th November 2025, 08:26 PM	#3
Marcus den toom Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Netherlands Posts: 543	That looks great Lee!!! The Nuremberg marks look like those of 1570s firearms. Would you know what kind of "troops" would be equiped with such shields? The shoulderstrap would help alot with carrying a heavy shield. It would be interesting to see how it will affect the way you can move thr shield around. I think my shield would lack such a strap, i will try to weigh my shield but would estimate 5 kilos.

21st November 2025, 09:19 AM	#4
Triarii Member Join Date: Oct 2021 Location: Bristol Posts: 161	I wonder if the use for the heavy one is for some form of bodyguard - like the ones Henry VIII of England had made, though some had pistols in them. On the shoulder strap, for marching about you can hang it under your arm. I've not found it an issue in a series of reenactment battles as a rodelero. This month my HEMA club has been running another block of rotella and sidesword training and sparring, and the strap is not a problem in using it (the rotella is usually advanced forward at an angle to the body, with occasional lifts up and to the right towards the opponents sword if you're going for a leg cut). Very practical. You definitely need the adjustment for the forearm strap as wearing armour makes a real difference.