Typically made of metal, a buckler shield (German: faustschild; French: boce; Italian: brochiero) is a tiny round shield measuring between 8 and 16 inches (20–40 cm) in diameter. The primary use of this cold weapon was to complement a sword or spear. A buckler supported a handle on its backside. They were single-handed shields that the warrior held in his fist, thus the name “fist shields.”
| Buckler Shield | |
|---|---|
| Type: | Melee weapon |
| Origin: | European Antiquity |
| Utilization: | Military and civilian |
| Size: | 12–18 inches (30–45 cm) |
| Weight: | 1.1 to 2.2 lb (0.5–1 kg) |
The use of bucklers on medals throughout classical antiquity indicated public promises made to the gods for the protection of a ruler; such shields were known as votive bucklers and were displayed in public places like temples and shrines. One votive specimen is seen below:
Origin of the Buckler Shield
The name comes from the Old French term bocler which means “shield with a boss” and it points to the ancient shield design called shield boss or umbo. It is an iron sphere in the shield’s center that allows more effective deflecting of sword attacks.
The shield’s design allowed the fist to rest just under the umbo, or at the level of the weapon’s center of gravity, for the best possible balance.
This central piece (umbo) was so effective that it paved the way for the invention of a new shield: the buckler shield. The rest of the shield was made as small as possible so that its user could swing the shield boss around more easily.
Both mounted and foot soldiers frequently used the buckler along with the one-handed sword in the 13th and 14th centuries. However, their presumed historical usage period currently ranges from the High Middle Ages (1000–1300 AD) into the Renaissance (14th–17th centuries).
The buckler gradually became less useful as other forms of weaponry improved, although it was nevertheless often shown in combat scenes alongside the rapier, sword, dagger, and knife until the 17th century. Its modest weight and compact size made it the weapon of choice among civilians.
History of the Buckler Shield
The Arabs were the first people to start using fist shields. Shields worn by the Arab cavalry were originally 24 inches (60 cm) in diameter but were eventually trimmed down.
The buckler shields first appeared in Europe around 1100 AD, and the Byzantines (the Eastern Romans) popularized them in the 13th century, after which they spread throughout the continent. Before that, the shield boss design was already used on Roman shields.
Both the Celts and the Franks reportedly used this small shield. The shield was widely used in Western Europe throughout the 12th and 13th centuries. This era includes the first documented use of the term in French literature.
The bucklers were quite common in mid-13th-century Iceland during the Age of the Sturlungs. The same shield spread to Germany and England in the 14th century. It was most widely used by Italy and Spain throughout the 15th and 16th centuries.
They were traditionally employed by Scottish highlanders and were even present at the Battle of Culloden in 1746, when they were mostly utilized by officers.
The oldest of the manuscripts from the 13th to mid-14th centuries on the art of sword fighting describes the “sword and buckler” approach. This specific manuscript is Royal Armouries Ms. I.33 and it was written around 1300 in Latin in the Holy Roman Empire which corresponds to Franconia in southern Germany.
The manuscript only contains fighting techniques with a one-handed sword and buckler and thus represents the most comprehensive single source on dealing with this shield. It is the earliest known surviving European combat manual and is currently stored in the Royal Armouries at Leeds, United Kingdom.
Widely Used Throughout Europe
The information in this book suggests that buckler combat was widely practiced throughout Europe at the time. The Italian style of fencing, which also included the buckler combat method, acquired significant clout among the elite in the 16th century.
The Bolognese fencing treatises by Antonio Manciolino and Achille Marozzo at the start of the 16th century in Italy discuss the use of these shields. According to them, it was one of the most “fashionable” weapons of the Renaissance period in Italy.
In this period, the buckler shield was in vogue. The young men and women of that era wore it on their sword belts and took it wherever they went. The shield could be slung over the shoulder or hung from a belt, or it could be attached to the hilt of the sword.
At the end of the 16th century, the shield was no longer used by the Venetian fencing school. They armed their left arm with a parrying dagger instead of this shield. The use of the sword and buckler tactic was discontinued after this time.
The buckler was the weapon of choice for bowmen, crossbowmen, and pikemen. This little shield worn at the waist did not restrict mobility, and it performed a respectable job of protecting the hand that parried the opponent’s sword during hand-to-hand combat.
A Wide Range of Shapes and Constructions
Material
The buckler shields were made of a wide variety of materials. They often included wooden canvas with metal reinforcements like iron strips of varying widths and a metal or shield boss set in the center. Their boards were similar in thickness to the Scandinavian shields, at about 0.24–0.32 inches (6–8 mm).
Both the wood and the metal used in this shield benefited from being painted or tinned. Brass rivets were often used as fasteners.
In other versions, the whole shield was made up of a single metal plate or many metal pieces. Because of its diminutive size, a buckler could be manufactured entirely of metal (unlike large shields).
There were also versions where the shield’s base was made of leather, and it was outfitted with several metal pieces. They were occasionally used in fencing schools.
Shape
The majority of buckler shields were round, although the German author Hans Talhoffer’s (1420–1490) fencing book, as well as miniatures and bas-reliefs, often show a broad range of shapes. Because these shields varied in size and shape and were not uniform.
A rare variant with a very large shield boss and curled-up edges can be seen (above) in the fencing manuals of Hans Talhoffer.
There were rectangular, trapezoid, oval, or teardrop-shaped bucklers. Their cross sections varied from flat, concave, convex, and wavelike. However, there were two primary designs during the Middle Ages:
- The first main design was a round shield with the handle positioned directly behind the central boss. These shields came in various shapes, sizes, and thicknesses. Some featured protective protrusions at the top and bottom or serrated edges, as described in Hans Talhoffer’s fencing manual, while others had closed rings, as seen in a replica from the Wallace Collection.
- The second main design was a rectangular shield with dents or corrugations, as suggested by Achille Marozzo in his work Opera Nova.
Size
Herbert Schmidt claims that the buckler could extend to a maximum of 18 inches (45 cm) in size. Today, the shield is reconstructed as part of historical European martial arts. Modern reconstructions often peak in the center at a height of 12–14 inches (30–35 cm).
Several contemporary fencing groups have recreated the art of sword and buckler combat. Since medieval fencing manuals were sometimes written more as a memory aid for the author than as a pedagogical work, their interpretation is not always apparent.
How Useful Was the Buckler Shield?
The buckler was typically employed in three primary ways:
- Hand Protection: It was utilized to safeguard the armed hand, ensuring it was covered and shielded as frequently as possible during combat.
- Deflection: One of the key functions of the buckler was to deflect incoming blows from adversaries. It serves as a defensive tool, redirecting attacks away from the wielder.
- Counterattack: Following a successful parry, the buckler can be effectively used to strike the opponent. It becomes a versatile offensive weapon, allowing the wielder to deliver impactful hits in response to an opponent’s attack.
Many historical records show that they were more often used than other shields by both the upper and lower classes and by military forces. In Spain, the use of a sword and buckler together was common. When it came to foot combat, it was highly popular in both Germany and England.
Although it was a defensive weapon in its own right, this shield had many offensive uses as well. As seen in several pieces of fencing literature and combat drawings, it was also an extremely powerful counterattacking weapon.
The buckler shield acted as both a passive defense and a secondary weapon against attackers. Because of its lightweight and rounded design, it was simple to use. It could be used to deflect an attack and then immediately counter it, due to its strength and sharp edges.
The End of the Buckler Shields
Due to the increased use of pikes, spontoons, halberds, ahlspiessen, and crossbows by infantry in the late Middle Ages (1300–1500 AD), the shields were no longer used as frequently as before. In fact, not all 16th-century fighters wore heavy armor either, which lowered their chances of survival.
It took tremendous finesse to block an arrow with a buckler shield. Therefore, it provided poor protection against projectiles and throwing weapons. Weighing roughly 2.2 pounds (1 kg), it wouldn’t have been enough to stop the strikes of a polearm or flamberge either.
However, the buckler’s use in warfare against one-handed weapons, the primary weapon of medieval infantry, was incontestable. Any pikeman could easily carry a short, edged weapon with him, but carrying his buckler behind his back would still provide a significant advantage on the battlefield.
In Culture
- A popular video game called Elden Ring (2022) features a detailed model of this shield with a description “Best suited for those prepared to take the risk to reap their reward.“
The Buckler Shield at a Glance
What is the origin of the buckler shield?
The buckler shield originated in Europe around 1100 AD, with the Byzantines popularizing its use in the 13th century. Its central boss, which made it effective at deflecting sword attacks, was a design cue from Roman shield bosses. The name comes from the Old French term “bocler,” meaning “shield with a boss.”
How was the buckler shield used in combat?
This shield served multiple purposes in combat. Firstly, it provided hand protection, ensuring the armed hand was covered and shielded during combat. Additionally, it acted as a defensive tool by deflecting incoming blows from adversaries and redirecting attacks away from the wielder. Lastly, it could be used for counterattacks, allowing the wielder to strike the opponent following a successful parry. Its lightweight and rounded design made it easy to maneuver and deliver impactful hits.
What were the main designs and sizes of buckler shields?
Buckler shields exhibited various designs and sizes. The majority were round, with the handle positioned directly behind the central boss. However, rectangular, trapezoid, oval, and teardrop-shaped ones also existed. The shields could have flat, concave, convex, or wavelike cross sections. In terms of size, they could range from a maximum of 18 inches (45 cm) in diameter, although modern reconstructions often peak at a height of 12-14 inches (30-35 cm).
When did the use of buckler shields decline?
The use of buckler shields declined in the late Middle Ages (1300-1500 AD) due to the increased use of other weapons such as pikes, halberds, and crossbows by infantry. Its effectiveness against projectiles and throwing weapons was limited, and it offered less protection against polearms. However, they remained popular in foot combat in Germany and England.
References
- I.33 collection – Royal Armouries
- Buckler | Etymology, origin and meaning of buckler by Etymonline
- A Catalogue of European Bucklers by Herbert Schmidt – Amazon Books
- Medieval Swordsmanship: Illustrated Methods And Techniques by John Clements, 1998 – Goodreads
