Shieldmaidens!

[Jacksarge]

These figures were part of the group of Vikings that I posted several weeks ago, but I didn't get them finished in time for that post. The miniatures are from Stronghold Terrain:





One wee bugbear for me are shields that do not have a hide covering & are just painted boards. A shield is going to get smashed in quick time without a covering of hide - I'm sure re-enactors could confirm this. 

All the best,
John.

[Gracchus Armisurplus]

Very nice!

[FierceKitty]

Still very attractive figures. As are the models.

[Matakakea]

One wee bugbear for me are shields that do not have a hide covering & are just painted boards. A shield is going to get smashed in quick time without a covering of hide - I'm sure re-enactors could confirm this.

A little work with some greenstuff, or similar, would give you the hide cover. I suppose it depends how much time you want to spend on each figure  

[nikko]

Hello,

Very nice painting !!

Nikko

[dinohunterpoa]

   Very nice figures and great painting!

I also think they deserve better shields!  

[Freelancer]

Nice 

[Argonor]

One wee bugbear for me are shields that do not have a hide covering & are just painted boards. A shield is going to get smashed in quick time without a covering of hide - I'm sure re-enactors could confirm this. 

Not sure about that - visiting viking events, I've seen a LOT of shields without hide covering them. But most re-enactment shields hereabouts seem to be made of single pieces of plywood or something similar, not constructed from individual boards. I guess it is too much hassle for something that has to be considered expendable...

[Gracchus Armisurplus]

Not sure about that - visiting viking events, I've seen a LOT of shields without hide covering them. But most re-enactment shields hereabouts seem to be made of single pieces of plywood or something similar, not constructed from individual boards. I guess it is too much hassle for something that has to be considered expendable...

I think there's probably not a lot of consensus about shield construction, given that there's not a lot of existing examples from the period left.

I remember being surprised to learn that Roman shields only had a single 'handle' behind the boss, with no arm strap. Shields were controlled and held by that single handle. I wonder if dark ages shields were the same?

[MM]

I think so, though I believe roman shields had a horizontal handle whereas early medieval round shields had a vertical/upright handle. I think straps came into play with the kite shield.

And certainly nice miniatures, very well painted. I like the muted colour palette!

[Argonor]

I think there's probably not a lot of consensus about shield construction, given that there's not a lot of existing examples from the period left.

I remember being surprised to learn that Roman shields only had a single 'handle' behind the boss, with no arm strap. Shields were controlled and held by that single handle. I wonder if dark ages shields were the same?

I think so, though I believe roman shields had a horizontal handle whereas early medieval round shields had a vertical/upright handle. I think straps came into play with the kite shield.

Exactly! The handle on a round dark ages shield most often is running most of the width of the shield, thus providing a lot of the stability of the construction. Which angle you hold it is less important than for the scutum, as it is round. The boss covers a central hole making space for the hand, which means that you hold the shield exactly at it's center of gravity, which makes it less strainful.

[dinohunterpoa]

The boss covers a central hole making space for the hand, which means that you hold the shield exactly at it's center of gravity, which makes it less strainful.

It also helps in warding off incoming blows, because one feels like using his "hand", which is a very natural reaction (the same action as in later bucklers). Medieval shields without boss are not very suited for individual combat and thus are more useful on horseback, IMHO. 

[SotF]

There might also be straps for other reasons, such as for longer distance carrying rather than to keep it on the arm, having a strap you can utilize in hooking the shield to your back when transiting if you didn't have a pack animal

[Landsknecht]

Outstanding!

[Jacksarge]

Outstanding!

Thanks Bill