Centre boss

A centre-boss shield was a type of round or oblong 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. There is some speculation that some may have had a slight conical shape to the shield.

Historically these shields had metal bosses in the centre riveted to the wooden planked body which could be up to 95cm in diameter. Behind the shield is a wooden or metal crossbar to act as a handle. The face and back of the shield could be covered in leather stuffed with grass and painted. Housecarls were specifically instructed not to use leather from sheep for this purpose.

Centre-boss shields are handled very differently from other 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.

Centre-boss shields were commonly used by the Anglo-Saxons and Norse, but were known across the medieval world.

External Links

Information on Viking Centre Boss Shields