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Kite Shield: The Evolution and Importance in Medieval Warfare

A kite shield is a large, almond-shaped shield characterized by its rounded top and pointed bottom. The name “kite shield” comes from its shape, reminiscent of a flying kite. This type of shield is closely linked with Norman warfare, particularly due to its prominent depiction in the Bayeux Tapestry. It has also been referred to as a “leaf-shaped shield” or “almond shield” in historical literature.

History of the Kite Shield

The kite shield was initially developed for mounted cavalry. Its design offered protection that extended from a horse’s neck to the rider’s thigh, with the narrow bottom safeguarding the rider’s left leg and the pronounced upper curve shielding the shoulder and torso. This design was superior to the common circular shields like bucklers, which provided inadequate protection for a horseman’s left flank, especially during a lance charge. As a result, kite shields became popular across Western Europe in the 1000s.

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The Bayeux Tapestry, a crucial historical document, depicts the English infantry primarily using kite shields, while some still carried round shields. The design’s exact origin remains unclear, with early examples appearing in Normandy, Spain, and the Holy Roman Empire. Some theories suggest that the Normans inherited the kite shield from their Viking ancestors, although no Viking-era documentation or remains confirm this.

Regional Variations and Adoption

Kite shields were prominent in Western Europe and the Byzantine Empire during the eleventh century. They were also found in the Caucasus, the Fatimid Caliphate, and among the Kievan Rus’. For example, an eleventh-century silver engraving of Saint George from Georgia depicts a kite shield, and the Bab al-Nasr in Cairo, constructed around 1087, also features such shields.

The First Crusade played a significant role in introducing kite shields to the Middle East. Arab and Byzantine soldiers observed Norman crusaders carrying these shields, and they quickly adopted the design. By the mid-twelfth century, kite shields had replaced round shields in the Byzantine Komnenian army.

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Evolution of the Kite Shield

Around the mid to late twelfth century, the traditional kite shield evolved into a variant with a flat top. This change made it easier for soldiers to hold the shield upright without obstructing their vision. However, by the late twelfth century, most Western European armies had transitioned to smaller, more compact heater shields, although Byzantine infantry continued to use kite shields into the thirteenth century.

Kite shields were constructed to address their size and shape’s potential awkwardness. They were equipped with enarmes, which allowed the shield to be tightly gripped to the arm, ensuring it stayed in place even when a knight relaxed his arm. This was a significant improvement over earlier circular shields, which typically had only a single handle. Some kite shields also featured an additional guige strap for slinging over the shoulder when not in use.

Materials and Assembly

A typical kite shield was at least three feet high and made of laminated wood, stretched animal hide, and iron components. Byzantine records from the 1200s indicate that the shield frame consisted primarily of wood and iron, while the body was made from hide, parchment, or hardened leather similar to drum faces. Initially, most kite shields were fitted with a domed metal centerpiece, known as a shield boss, although the use of enarmes rendered this feature largely unnecessary.

Kite shields were not only a staple in Norman and Byzantine armies but also saw use in various regions, adapting to local styles and requirements. Their widespread adoption and evolution highlight their importance in medieval warfare, providing enhanced protection and utility for mounted and infantry soldiers alike.

References

  1. Drawing from Wendelin Boeheim, Handbuch der Waffenkunde (1890), p. 172, after a miniature from the Second Bible of St Martial Abbey (early 12th century).
  2. ^ Jump up to:a b c d e f g h i Grotowski, Piotr (2009). Arms and Armour of the Warrior Saints: Tradition and Innovation in Byzantine Iconography (843–1261). Leiden: Koninklijke Brill NV. pp. 231–234. ISBN 978-9004185487.
  3. ^ Jump up to:a b c d e Bartusis, Mark (1997). The Late Byzantine Army: Arms and Society, 1204-1453. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press. pp. 322–342. ISBN 978-0812216202.
  4. ^ Jump up to:a b c d Oakeshott, Ewart (1997) [1960]. The Archaeology of Weapons: Arms and Armour from Prehistory to the Age of Chivalry. Mineola: Dover Publications. pp. 176–177. ISBN 978-0812216202.
  5. ^ Jump up to:a b c d e Newman, Paul (2001). Daily Life in the Middle Ages. Jefferson: McFarland and Company Incorporated, Publishers. pp. 214–215. ISBN 978-0786408979.