08-08-2008, 04:12 PM
Thoughts:
1. even a minimal curve of the shield boss flange (say 1-2mm) could be sufficient for a curved / dished shield. The shield needs not to be curved at the same angle for the whole of its width, it may very well be curved stronger towards the edges.
2. the 3rd c. CE shield bosses which have a completely flat flange are to a very high percentage from cavalry sites. Also, flat shields are mostly seen in art in connection with cavalry
3. several depictions of cavalry shields show on the backside a vertical grip sometimes with slightly shhifted angle (up to 45°), which makes sense for someone sitting on horseback.
4. Doncaster a cavalry shield?
5. Was the initial state of the shield boss (before preservation) different from what it is now? Wouldn´t be the first one... If we don´t know, the info that the flange is flat now is useless.
6. Some shield reinforcing bars from the 3rd century belonging to bosses with angled flange are more than 90 cm long. (Eining, e.g. IIRC)
In fact, a long reinforcing bar is rather an evidence for the shield being curved, IMO
7. very often the shield reinforcing bars cover the whole width of a board.
Since the grip on doncaster was ripped from the board befor it came into ground this is quite possible here as well. (IIRC)
8. As can be seen from the dura shields, usually the UPPER half of the shield boards is longer, so that the weight of the shield pulls the lower part AWAY from the legs.
IMO Possible shields:
flat with 45° grip
dished with horizontal grip
curved with horizontal grip
rectangular with curve
oval
1. even a minimal curve of the shield boss flange (say 1-2mm) could be sufficient for a curved / dished shield. The shield needs not to be curved at the same angle for the whole of its width, it may very well be curved stronger towards the edges.
2. the 3rd c. CE shield bosses which have a completely flat flange are to a very high percentage from cavalry sites. Also, flat shields are mostly seen in art in connection with cavalry
3. several depictions of cavalry shields show on the backside a vertical grip sometimes with slightly shhifted angle (up to 45°), which makes sense for someone sitting on horseback.
4. Doncaster a cavalry shield?
5. Was the initial state of the shield boss (before preservation) different from what it is now? Wouldn´t be the first one... If we don´t know, the info that the flange is flat now is useless.
6. Some shield reinforcing bars from the 3rd century belonging to bosses with angled flange are more than 90 cm long. (Eining, e.g. IIRC)
In fact, a long reinforcing bar is rather an evidence for the shield being curved, IMO
7. very often the shield reinforcing bars cover the whole width of a board.
Since the grip on doncaster was ripped from the board befor it came into ground this is quite possible here as well. (IIRC)
8. As can be seen from the dura shields, usually the UPPER half of the shield boards is longer, so that the weight of the shield pulls the lower part AWAY from the legs.
IMO Possible shields:
flat with 45° grip
dished with horizontal grip
curved with horizontal grip
rectangular with curve
oval
Christian K.
No reconstruendum => No reconstruction.
Ut desint vires, tamen est laudanda voluntas.
No reconstruendum => No reconstruction.
Ut desint vires, tamen est laudanda voluntas.
