Half shield

The Half Shield is a term used to describe a type of counter or counterward in historical swordfighting.

Arming Sword and Buckler

The term is applied to a counter illustrated in Royal Armouries MS I.33.

The Half Shield is taken up by standing right foot forward, buckler is held out at or just below shoulder height with the sword is held tucked next to the buckler (in the third position and the blade pointing up and slightly forward.

Stimulus

It is appropriate to adopt this counter when faced against a fencer in the one of the follwing ward(s):

• Underarm
• Right shoulder
• Left shoulder
• Vom Tag
• Pflug
• Nebenhut
• Priest's Special Langort