This steel round shield is crafted from 20 gauge steel with a rolled edge for increased durability and impact resistance. The reverse is blackened and fitted with an thick, wide and durable leather forearm strap that can be adjusted to size with its large steel buckle. A stoutly riveted grip of wood with a steel frame serves as a palm grip. A riveted and stuffed canvas panel acts as a shock absorber to give the forearm some impact padding.
Popular with infantry in both Italy and Spain throughout the Medieval Period, round shields took on a new role in the Renaissance as the swordsmans shield of choice. Commonly paired with a rapier for dueling, or a cut-and-thrust sword for the battlefield, the steel Rotella / Rodelero shield was ideal for an aggressive fighter who would use the shield to deflect blows and deny angles of attack when rapidly advancing on a foe; In close quarters the shield doubled as another weapon of opportunity for a skilled swordsman. This is a shield that was designed not to sit as a static defense barrier, but to be quick, light and simultaneously capable of defending the swordsman whilst harassing or even attacking the foe.
Late Medieval and Renaissance battlefield tactics were often formed around solid blocks of halberdiers and pikemen and opposing formations of polearms could often entangle and deadlock. Thus specialized sword-and-buckler men armed with medium-sized steel round shields and cut-and-thrust swords were often deployed in fast striking groups to aggressively engage and disrupt these longer-range polearm formations.
AndrewFowler –
Nice shield. Sturdy construction, and the solid steel/wood grip allows for strong control and leverage. I haven’t been able to test it against any medieval weapons yet but I have no doubt it would do the job. It’s also simply constructed and would be easy to repair yourself if anything came loose or broke. Meanwhile it looks really nice leaning in the corner with my spears and at 100 bucks feels like a bargain. Very happy with it so far.