Shield grip question?

[Matthew Amt]

Ave!<br>
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You think a vertical shield grip feels more natural? I think most of us would disagree. Vertical grips did exist (Doncaster shield, for instance), but infantry shields seem to have had mostly horizontal grips.<br>
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This is a very comfortable and secure grip, and it makes the shield lie nicely along your arm and shoulder. This is the stance seen in a lot of original depictions (gladiators as well as legionaries). You can put your weight behind it, even brace it at the bottom with your knee. If the grip is vertical, it changes your entire stance, turning you more to the front rather than edge-on, and you can't body-shove nearly as well. While a lot of round shields from other cultures were probably held with the grip vertical, this doesn't work as well with a longer, heavier shield like the scutum.<br>
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Try it, you'll like it! Vale,<br>
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Matthew/Quintus, Legio XX <p></p><i></i>