Centre boss: Difference between revisions
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[[image:shieldsround.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Replica centre boss shields. The one on the right is has a padded leather front.]]A '''centre-boss shield''' was a type of round, oval, oblong or coffin-shaped [[shield]] common in [[period]]. It has called a centre-boss because of the single central [[grip]], protected by a [[metal]] [[boss]]. Most centre-boss shields actually had a hole in the centre with the [[grip]] flush to the shield, with the protective boss projecting outward from the shield face itself. Most centre-boss shields appear to be flat, but the best-quality centre-boss shields were ''lenticular'' (lens-shaped), that is, having a slightly conical shape back from the centre boss itself. As extent curved planks of [[wood]] for [[shield]]s have been found with wooden shield [[boss]]es and flat boards with decorated iron bosses, personal, economic or regional variations can be found. |
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Lenticular centre-boss shields had the benefit of structural strength in addition to the resiliency of [[wood]] and [[rawhide]], in the same way that a dome is stronger than a flat roof. |
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Historically these shields had [[metal]] or [[wood]]en [[boss]]es in the centre riveted to the [[wood]]en planked body which could be up to 95cm in diameter. Behind the shield is a wooden (sometimes covered in a [[metal]] sheath) or metal crossbar to act as a [[grip]]. The [[grip]] might also be covered in [[leather]] and the ends of the [[handle]] might have [[bronze]] [[terminus|termini]] attached. The face and back of the shield could be covered in [[leather]] or [[rawhide]] and [[paint]]ed. [[Housecarl]]s were specifically instructed not to use [[leather]] from [[sheep]] for this purpose. [[Guige]]s were most commonly attached using rings and eyelets. |
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Centre-boss shields were commonly used by the [[Anglo-Saxon]]s and [[Norse]], but were known across the [[medieval]] world. |
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==Centre Boss Shields in Combat== |
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Centre-boss shields are handled very differently from other [[shield|shield types]] (such as the [[kite shield]] or the [[heater shield]]) which are strapped to the arm. Tending to be light-weight, a centre-boss shield can be "punched" towards an incoming blow. |
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Centre boss shields were commonly used in [[shield wall]]s, as they were the state of the art at the time of [[Alfred the Great]], who perfected the shieldwall technique. Large centre-boss shields allowed for the easy overlap of the edges of the shields, providing great strength and rigidity to the [[formation]]. With sufficient skill and training, the shieldwall can be quickly opened and closed to allow other [[fighter]]s to slip through the ranks, either to charge or retreat. |
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==External Links== |
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*[http://members.ozemail.com.au/~chrisandpeter/shield/shield.html Information on Viking Centre Boss Shields] |
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*[http://www.users.bigpond.net.au/fireandsteel/shield.htm Making a re-enactment Viking Age Shield] |
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*[http://www.users.bigpond.net.au/fireandsteel/shield02.htm Making a Planked Linden Shield] |
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[[category:armour]] |
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[[category:shield]] |
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[[Category:viking]] |
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[[Category:saxon]] |
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