The Association of Medieval Crusaders

Almond-shaped shield (AB)

Information

Almond-shaped shield

The almond-shaped shield is typical of the early Middle Ages. The earliest almond-shaped shields are known from the Franks, but spread throughout Europe from the 1000's until the end of the 1100s by the Normans. The almond shape probably arises from a previous oval-shaped shield to adapt it to better use on horseback. However, the shield is still used by both infantry soldiers.
The shield's heraldry originates from a manuscript from 1200s, dealing with the crusaders in the first crusade.

Sources

Almond-shaped shield 01 (A)

Source type (A):
Archaeological object.
Current location:
Muzeum Narodowe w Szczecinie, Szczecin, Poland.
Place of origin:
Szczecin, Poland.
Dating:
1170 - 1197.

Almond-shaped shield 02 (B)

Source type (B):
Mural
Navn:
Mural in the chapel Cressac-Saint-Genis.
Author:
-
Current location:
Cressac-Saint-Genis, Blanzac-Porcheresse, France.
Place of origin:
Commanderie des templiers de Cressac, France.
Dating:
In the middle of the 12th century.
Note:
Cressac-Saint-Genis was a Templar chapel.

Almond-shaped shield 03 (B)

Source type (B):
Manuscript.
Name:
Histoire d'Outremer.
Author:
-
Current location:
Bibliothèque municipale de Boulogne-sur-Mer, Frankrig (BM MS.142 - f.49v).
Place of origin:
Jerusalem, Israel.
Dating:
After 950, before 1050.
Note:
Crusaders occupying Antioch in the Holy Land, the knights often depicted as Knights Hospitaller, which may be doubtful.

More sources

Almond-shaped shield 04 (B)

Source type (B):
Manuscript.
Name:
Biblia Sancti Petri Rodensis.
Author:
Remigius Autissiodornsis
Current location:
Bibliothèque nationale de France (MS. Latin 6 (2) - f.5r).
Place of origin:
Monestir de Santa Maria de Ripoll, Ripoll , Catalonia, Spain.
Dating:
After 950, before 1050.

Almond-shaped shield 05 (B)

Source type (B):
Embroidered tapestry.
Navn:
Bayeux tapestry.
Author:
Possibly made by order of Bishop Odo of Bayeux.
Current location:
Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Bayeux, Bayeux, France.
Place of origin:
Possibly made in England.
Dating:
After 1070.
Note:
Battle of Hastings in 1066.

Almond-shaped shield 06 (B)

Source type (B):
Manuscript.
Name:
The Life and Miracles of St. Edmund.
Author:
-
Current location:
The Morgan Library & Museum, New York, US. (MS M.736 - f.8r).
Place of origin:
England.
Dating:
Ca. 1130.
Note:
The Saxons, Jutes, and Angles share the Kingdom.

Almond-shaped shield 07 (A)

Source type (A):
Archaeological object.
Current location:
Schweizerisches Nationalmuseum/Landesmuseum Zürich, Zurich, Switzerland.
Place of origin:
Frienisberg kloster, Seedorf, Switzerland.
Dating:
Ca. 1200.
Note:
Incredibly well preserved because the shield has hung over the burial ground.
Initial length reduced at upper part approx. 1240 (here drawn on). Probably an adaptation to a more modern combat technique.

Cross -Reference

Sword XI - disc-shaped pommel 02 (B)

Source type (B):
Manuscript.
Name:
Glossa ordinaria in lamentationes Ieremie Prophete.
Author:
Heinrich von Veldeke.
Current location:
Staatsbibliothek zu Berlin (ms. germ. fol. 282 - f.53r).
Place of origin:
Austria.
Dating:
1150-1200.
Note:
King Nebuchadnezzar ordered the execution of the sons of King Zedekiah of Judah.

Mural 01 (A)

Source type (A):
Mural.
Name:
-
Author:
-
Current location:
Lyngby Kirke, Brabrand, Denmark.
Place of origin:
Lyngby Kirke, Brabrand, Denmark.
Dating:
1175 - 1200.

Seax - WII 03 (B)

Source type (B):
Manuscript.
Name:
Liber ad honorem Augusti Liber ad honorem Augusti sive de rebus Siculis.
Author:
Petrus de Ebulo.
Current location:
Burgerbibliothek, Bern, Switzerland (Cod. 120.II - f.130r).
Place of origin:
Southern Italy.
Dating:
1195-1197.

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