Fencing shield

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Depiction of a fencing scene from Tacuinum Sanitatis (approx. 14th century)

The fencing shield is a medieval protective weapon that is used to repel attacks with a fencing weapon. These shields are available in different versions, some of which are similar to a small shield , some are similar to arm protection and have been equipped with various accessories.

History and variants of fencing shields

The first shields that are assigned to fencing shields originated in Byzantium in the 8th century . The development of fencing shields adapted to the needs of the respective armament over the centuries. There are many variants of fencing shields, whose detailed description is hardly possible. Shape, size and materials vary from country to country. Many nobles commissioned their weapons and equipment themselves; This resulted in variants adapted to the equipment and design. With a few exceptions, the fencing shields were not used for military purposes, but for civilian use. The Italian fencing shield was used in fencing schools and in judicial duels ( judgment of God ). All fencing shields have the common feature that they can be used for both defense and attack.

Fist shield

The fist shield (also known as Boce, bocete, Rondelle de Poing or Brochiero), which has a diameter of about 30–40 cm, was used in Byzantium as early as the 8th century. From there it spread over all of Europe. A well-known special form of fist shield is the buckler .

Fist shields were used until the spread of firearms in the 17th century. Later versions of the shields were fitted with a small pistol that shoots through the shield hub (in the center of the shield). When firearms became stronger and shields useless, the fencing shields lost all meaning.

Italian fencing shield

The first fencing shields of this type were made in Italy in the 14th century. In contrast to other fencing shields, they are elongated oval and have a length of up to 2.50 meters. They are made of wood that is covered with leather and painted. In the middle runs along the longitudinal axis a high ridge that is hollow. An iron rod runs through this hollow with sharp, harpoon-like points at both ends . In this version, the shield is used for defense and attack. These shields were wielded with both hands (without the aid of another edged weapon ).

Arm shield

The first (fencing) arm shields spread in Italy from the 14th century. The arm shield only covers the forearm and is fastened with leather straps. These shields are also made of wood, are covered with leather and decorated with tempera painting . They have a sharp, pointed blade on the side facing the hand. These shields were not used for military purposes, but were used in the fighting games of the noble society of Italy. Usually these games were held on certain feast days; the best known was the "Giuoko del Ponte" in Pisa.

Lantern sign

The lantern shield is an Italian development of the 16th century. It is a small round shield made of metal, to which a gauntlet, a pointed blade and other, smaller, serrated blades (blade catchers) are attached. There is also a sword breaker at the center hub of the shield . Another device for holding and breaking an opponent's blade is attached to the circumference of the shield. The special feature of the sign is an integrated lantern that can be darkened using a folding mechanism. This lantern was used to blind opponents during night attacks.

See also

literature

  • Wendelin Boeheim : Handbook of the armory. The historical development of the weapon system from the beginning of the Middle Ages to the end of the 18th century. Seemann, Leipzig 1890 ( Seemanns arts and crafts handbooks 7, ZDB -ID 53757-3 ), (reprint. Fourier Wiesbaden 1985, ISBN 3-921695-95-3 ).
  • Eberhard Schmitt, Friedrich Karl von Hutten (ed.): The gold of the new world. The papers of the Wels conquistador and general captain of Venezuela Philipp von Hutten 1534–1541. Frankenschwelle publishing house, Hildburghausen 1996, ISBN 3-86180-052-7 .
  • Michael Störmer: Armory. A compendium of medieval melee weapons. Revised new edition. G&S Verlag, Zirndorf 2004, ISBN 3-925698-46-9 , p. 14 ( DragonSys. Lebendiges Mittelalter 4).

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Wendelin Boeheim: Handbook of Armament. The historical development of the weapon system from the beginning of the Middle Ages to the end of the 18th century. Seemann, Leipzig 1890 ( Seemanns arts and crafts handbooks 7, ZDB -ID 53757-3 ), (reprint. Fourier Wiesbaden 1985, ISBN 3-921695-95-3 ), pp. 190-192.
  2. ↑ Wendelin Boeheim: Handbook of Armament. The historical development of the weapon system from the beginning of the Middle Ages to the end of the 18th century. Seemann, Leipzig 1890 ( Seemanns Kunstgewerbliche Hand Bücher 7, ZDB -ID 53757-3 ), (Reprint. Fourier Wiesbaden 1985, ISBN 3-921695-95-3 ), pp. 184-187.
  3. ↑ Wendelin Boeheim: Handbook of Armament. The historical development of the weapon system from the beginning of the Middle Ages to the end of the 18th century. Seemann, Leipzig 1890 ( Seemanns arts and crafts handbooks 7, ZDB -ID 53757-3 ), (reprint. Fourier Wiesbaden 1985, ISBN 3-921695-95-3 ), pp. 187-190.

Web links

Commons : Shields  - Collection of images, videos, and audio files