I think it would be great to make shields at crafts day (amongst aother things). I for one am now the proud owner of two shield bosses (one for shield, one for buckler). In know WW has several shield patterns cut or semi cut, and at least one boss (and I believe 4). This needs organising well in advance. I'll post a checklist of things Jon P recommends, in terms of materials, tools and location. Date is set as crafts day.
Shelagh posted this link to DAS:
http://www.kongensborge.dk/index_uk.php?pageid=seneste_nyt_uk
I think it's great, and it's spurred me to ask some questions. I now know that at least one shield existed in 10C Denmark (it's like the mathematician and the sheep). I know it was made of fir wood, had a diameter of 32", and was painted. I'd like to know more about the paint and design, any weapon marks in it, how the hand attached to it, and more about the boss, but maybe more of that will emerge over time.
So this is a much better piece of evidence than thorsbergs, which are wrong era and possibly wrong location.
But it's still only one piece of evidence. I was wondering if the historical scholars amongst us could furnish ferny with more finds of shields (to keep me happy about the physical dimensions etc) and other sources which depict them as being in use, and to what extent, and info on their bosses and paint designs.
Our wiki on shields currently has this info:
http://wychwood.wikidot.com/kit-shield
It links to two very good sites, one on construction, the other on finds. Can we better the second, or do we not really want or need to as his is top-notch? (It really is a very good looking and reading article).
Our wiki on helmets, done by Bunni, is IMO one of the top resources for this type of question which I have found (on the internet):
http://wychwood.wikidot.com/kit-helmets
I'd be happy to write up the outcomes of this thread onto the wiki if we can round up some good info.
Cheers very much,
Ferny
