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Archaeologists have not found much evidence for complete shields,
although parts of the fittings have been found, like the central
boss.
The best known examples of Viking shields were found with the famous
Gokstad ship burial in Norway.
Circular shields were up to a metre across and made of a single
layer of planks fitted together. There was a central hollow iron
boss to protect the hand, a handle (grip) riveted to the back, and
bindings on the rim, sometimes made from leather.
Some shields seem to have been covered in leather. Finds from Birka
in Sweden show this. Other shields, like the one from Gokstad, were
painted.
This archaeological evidence, along with evidence from sagas, runestones
and picture stones tells us something about the decoration of shields.
There is evidence for using red, yellow and black colours to decorate
sheilds. An examination of a fragment of shield found on the Isle
of Man indicated that a black and red pattern had been painted on
a white background.
Another piece of decorated wood which archaeologists think was going
to be made into a shield was found in Denmark. This was decorated
with an interlace pattern and dark blue, grey-green, white and red
paints were used.
Some of the pictures of shields in Viking art (for instance the
7 – 8th century Gotland picture stones) show simple pinwheel and
spiral designs.
The kite-shaped shield was introduced from around 1000 AD. You can
see this represented on the Bayeux Tapestry, which records the events
of 1066. The designs on the shields on the tapestry include crosses,
patterns made up of dots, and quite a few strange looking creatures.
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