Kite shield Norman

This kite shield was made after period manuscript illuminations of the Ballte at Hastings. It was in use in 10th - 11th century. A kite shield was a distinct type of shield from the 10th–12th centuries. It was usually a reverse teardrop shape (or later on, flat-topped). The tapering point extended down to either a distinct or rounded point. The term is a neologism, created by Victorian antiquarians due to the shape's resemblance to an early European kite. More information...