Title
Presentation shield
Subject
A shield from the early days of the society, or made in the style of that time, featuring a spun boss but with no hole behind it - instead the shield is held by arm straps.
Description
Presented to the society by Pete Seymour at Godmanchester, July 2016, as part of a formal handover of some of the relics from the early days of the society.
The shield is of wooden core, covered in leather, and with a steel boss riveted to the centre. Unlike later (and original) shields, the boss is not covering a hole which is used to grip the shield, as the four additional rivets on the face hint at the arm straps behind to allow the shield to be attached to the forearm and held by the forward strap.
The shield is rimmed in steel, riveted in place. Rims of this type were used in the 1990s by several equipment makers, but they were banned within a few years as they quickly developed dangerous burrs and were also responsible for breaking axe shafts and other weapons.
The engraved plaque on the front is pinned in place by nails, and bears a translation of Stanza 76 of the Havamal:
The shield is of wooden core, covered in leather, and with a steel boss riveted to the centre. Unlike later (and original) shields, the boss is not covering a hole which is used to grip the shield, as the four additional rivets on the face hint at the arm straps behind to allow the shield to be attached to the forearm and held by the forward strap.
The shield is rimmed in steel, riveted in place. Rims of this type were used in the 1990s by several equipment makers, but they were banned within a few years as they quickly developed dangerous burrs and were also responsible for breaking axe shafts and other weapons.
The engraved plaque on the front is pinned in place by nails, and bears a translation of Stanza 76 of the Havamal:
Cattle die, folk die,
Everyone is mortal:
But the good name never dies
Of one who has done well
Added by Super User