Hi All......I'm having trouble finding info on what type of shield and sword belt Southern Celts used in First Century AD Britain, specifically the Durotriges. I'm going to be carrying a Hod Hill spatha with a Isleham scabbard.
Any help on what they may have looked like or who may even supply these items for purchase would be appreciated. Thanks, Antoninus
Michael T. Boyd
Victoria, Texas
Cohort V
Legio Hispana IX
Cornuti Seniores
Roman Soldier Impressions are focused on 1st Through 4th Century AD
Hello,
I don't know if I can be helpful, but for the swords and suspension methods in 1stC AD Britannia I would look: - I.M.Stead, British Iron Age swords and scabbards, London, BMP, 2006
- I.M.Stead, Iron Age Cemeteries in East Yorkshire,London, BMP, 1991
For what I have been able to inform me, I have seen that many swords are not found with any evidence of a suspension method (maybe an entirely organic belt).
I have also read:
“When a sword is found in situ, and a suspension method is still present then the most common find with it are two rings and one toggle. The rings are usually positioned either side of the scabbard "runner" (the loop that is fastened to the scabbard)and some graves may have the sword in situ on the back”.
There are figurines from Yorkshire representing warriors carrying the sword on their backs.
Asby Scar Sword (1stC AD), Cumbria,Great Asby,Asby Scar (England) An iron sword which is corroded into its bronze scabbard. When buried, the top of the blade projected from the scabbard.
In addition, on the the Isleham scabbard there are two cast loops on the back of the scabbard for belts- perhaps implying both a baldric and belt worn around the waist?
Good mourning,
For the shield, a good iconographic source are the reliefs of military themes, in particular the spoils of war, of the Arc de triomphe d'Orange, located in the town of Orange (southeast France), built at the beginning of 1stC AD.
The shields represented are Gaulish (and maybe a couple of exemplary from Germania) but I think that can be used also for reconstructing models from the other side of the English Channel.
I particularly like the tunic detail on the same picture as the suspension system of the sword. There is some debate asto whether or not these details represent gloves, but this sculpture clearly indicates that the hands show the anatomical details of being glove free. It looks like a tunic with side seams and turned back cuffs. More turned back cuffs and side seamed arms it is then on gallic tunics
And some of the Yorkshire figurines above have been cited as evidence of a scabbard worn at the back, Conan the Barbarian Hollywood style. And though, it may even be a practical solution given the length of some of the Celtic swords, I haven't yet seen a re enactor daring enough to try it!
(Edit- just noticed that the original post mentioned a back scabbard.Must learn to read...)