Kite Shield Blank – High-Quality Base, Crafted Using Ancient Technology

High-quality kite shield blank made of laminated wood for those who want to craft their own shield by hand.

 

Description

Dimensions

• Width: 60 cm

• Height: 115 cm

• Thickness: 9–12 mm

(as the shield blank is handmade, slight variations may occur)

 

Delivery time: 2 weeks from order (sometimes faster if the workshop’s workload is low)

Finished kite shields can be found here. We are also pleased to craft a custom-made shield according to your specifications. Simply contact us by email.

 

Features of Our Blanks

The kite shield blank is made of glued laminated wood. Between the layers of plywood, we insert linen fabric. Thanks to this technology, the finished shield becomes extremely durable and can withstand more than one battle. At the same time, our shields remain relatively light – even compared to medieval originals, which were made using metal that significantly increased the weight of the shield.

 

Historical Background

The kite shield likely originates from Byzantium: the earliest depictions of this form appear as early as the mid-10th century. The emergence of this form coincided with the rise of cavalry – and for good reason. The shield, tapering to a point at the bottom, perfectly covered the rider from shoulder to knee, following the line of the horse’s neck and protecting the warrior’s leg.

But it also offered another tactical advantage. When warriors formed a line and positioned their shields with the points alternating up and down, they created a solid wall. The wide and narrow parts of the shields overlapped, leaving the enemy no gap. In this regard, the kite shield was superior to the round shield.

Over time, this shape became the hallmark of Norman cavalry and Slavic infantry.

Like the round shield, the kite shield was a purely utilitarian item – a consumable. It had to withstand a few battles, but at the same time be inexpensive and quick to manufacture. Typically, it was made from light, resilient wood – linden, alder, or poplar. The shield was assembled from several layers, covered with rawhide, and the edges were either wrapped in rawhide or bound with iron – as protection against cutting blows. The height of such shields ranged from 50 to 114 cm, and the weight ranged from 3.5 to 4.5 kg.

Later, the shape evolved: the upper edge became increasingly flatter to avoid obstructing the view, and the shield itself became smaller. The reason lay in the development of armor worn by warriors – over time, armor took on part of the protective function, and the bulky shield was no longer needed.