Intro of Kite Shields

I have always thought that the kite shield first appeared in the early 11th century. However, I have some 9th Century Carolingian Franks, a few of which have what appears to be an early form of kite shield. The corners are more angular than those depicted on the bayeaux tapestry for example.

Are these shields appropriate for Carolingian Franks or a designers error? I would like to think they depict an early form of the kite shield.

Asterix

There's probably an expert out there who will correct me, but the Byzantines were using kite sheilds quite a bit earlier than W.Europeans, and since the Franks had contact with Byzantinium, I'd say that it is a realistic example of technological diffusion.

[ June 12, 2003, 14:10: Message edited by: Delirium's Brother ]

[Martin Smith]

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[Bardolph]

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[David Constable]

Originally Posted by imported_Delirium's Brother

There's probably an expert out there who will correct me, but the Byzantines were using kite sheilds quite a bit earlier than W.Europeans, and since the Franks had contact with Byzantinium, I'd say that it is a realistic example of technological diffusion.

[ June 12, 2003, 14:10: Message edited by: Delirium's Brother ]

As far as I know the Byzantine army used a teardrop shield before people in the West, in effect it is like a Norman shield, but shorter, so more manouverable.
It is possible it was designed to help against archery, but then extended in the West to give better protection.

David Constable

[peleset]

My Essex Nikephorian Byzantines have the almond shaped shields, as well as their arab enemies. That list runs from 963-1042 AD. My Ospreys on Byzantine armies seems to suggest that they began to appear sometime in the 10th century.



Damn! Will need to replace that with a better one.