The Mighty Viking Shield: More Than Just a Piece of Wood!
Shield Wall! How Vikings Kept Safe on Land and Sea
Hello, brave parents and little shield maidens and warriors! Today, we’re diving into the world of Viking shields – those round, mighty protectors that helped Vikings in battle, on their ships, and in their daily adventures. Ready to learn why these shields were so important and a little bit magical?
Let’s set sail!
What Is a Viking Shield?
Imagine a big, round wooden circle, about the size of a bicycle wheel. That’s a Viking shield! Made mostly of wood, often with a metal boss (a shiny, rounded bit in the middle), it was light enough to carry but strong enough to stop an arrow or sword. Some shields were painted with bright colors or bold patterns – maybe even the symbol of a family or clan.
Viking Shield with a Red and White Motif
Why Did Vikings Use Shields?
Shields were the Vikings’ best friends in battle – their trusty sidekicks made of wood and metal that stood between them and danger. Not only did these mighty round shields protect warriors from swords, arrows, and spears, but they also helped the Vikings work together like one big, strong team. When it was time to fight, the Vikings would line up side by side, each holding their shield tightly next to their neighbor’s, creating what’s called a “shield wall.” Imagine a giant group hug, but instead of arms, everyone held up their wooden shields to form a nearly unbreakable barrier. This clever formation made it super hard for enemies to break through because they had to face a whole wall of shields instead of just one person at a time!
But the story of Viking shields doesn’t stop at battles. These versatile pieces of gear had many other uses in everyday Viking life. If the ground was slippery with snow, a shield could be turned upside down and used as a makeshift sled to glide down a hill. On rainy days out at sea or on land, a shield made a handy little umbrella to keep the rain off the warrior’s head. And when the fighting was done and it was time to celebrate, shields sometimes became drums, making rhythms to sing songs and tell stories around the campfire. Talk about multi-purpose magic — a shield was not just a tool for war but a trusty companion for many adventures!
Sigrid with Shield
Shields on the Ship – Sailing with Protection
When Vikings set sail on their famous longboats, they never forgot to bring their shields along – these trusty round protectors were an absolute must-have for any sea adventure. Instead of just carrying them below deck, the Vikings cleverly lined the shields along the sides of the ship, hanging them like a wooden fence running the length of the boat. This wasn’t just for show (though it did look pretty impressive!) — the shields created a strong barrier that helped keep the crew safe from dangers on the water. If enemies on other ships tried to shoot arrows or throw spears, the shields would block many of those flying weapons before they could reach the Vikings. Plus, when the sea spray and cold waves splashed over the side, the shields acted like a wall, shielding the warriors from getting soaked and chilled in the harsh northern waters.
But these shields did more than just protect – they added a splash of color and character to the ship. Many shields were brightly painted with bold patterns, symbols, or family crests, turning the longboat into a floating fortress of round, colorful shields. From afar, the ship would look like a moving rainbow of shields, ready to face any sea monster, rival Viking crew, or stormy adventure that came its way. Imagine how mighty and proud the Vikings must have felt, sailing their shield-decorated ships through fjords and across oceans, knowing their shields kept them safe and their ship looked fierce and unforgettable.
What Archaeologists Have Found
Thanks to the magic of archaeology, we’ve discovered real Viking shields buried in old Viking villages and ship graves. These shields showed signs of battle — dents, scratches, and sometimes even bits of metal stuck in the wood!
Some shields were repaired carefully, showing how much Vikings treasured them. And guess what? Many shields were made from different kinds of wood like pine or spruce — strong, but light enough to carry during a raid or long journey.
Real Viking Shields Found by Archaeologists
- The Gokstad Ship Shields – Norway
When archaeologists uncovered the famous Gokstad Viking ship in Norway (buried around the year 900 AD!), they found dozens of shields carefully arranged along the ship’s sides. These shields were mostly made from thin wooden planks with a metal boss in the center. Some had traces of paint, suggesting they were brightly decorated. The Gokstad shields give us a real glimpse of how Vikings protected themselves at sea!
- The Hedeby Shields – Germany
At the ancient Viking trading town of Hedeby, archaeologists found fragments of round wooden shields, some reinforced with leather. These shields showed signs of wear and repairs, proving that Vikings took care of their gear and used their shields over and over again. Hedeby was a busy place, so these shields might have seen both trading and battles!
- The Trelleborg Shields – Denmark
Near the Viking fortress of Trelleborg, archaeologists discovered shield remains with wooden planks joined together and covered by a thin layer of leather. The leather helped protect the wood from splintering when struck by weapons. This clever design shows how Vikings made their shields tougher and longer-lasting.
- The York Shields — England
In York, England—once a Viking city called Jorvik—archaeologists found fragments of shields with iron rims and bosses. This shows how Vikings adapted their shields depending on where they lived and fought, sometimes adding extra metal for protection.
A typical Viking shield in Gokstad style
image: Wolfgang Sauber - CC BY-SA 3.0
Fun Fact for Families!
- Round and Ready – Most Viking shields were round, usually between 70 and 90 centimeters (about 28 to 35 inches) across – roughly the size of a large pizza! This size made them easy to carry but still big enough to protect the warrior’s body.
- Made Mostly of Wood – Vikings didn’t have metal shields like knights. Instead, their shields were mostly made from wooden planks glued or nailed together, often using light woods like pine, fir, or spruce so they wouldn’t weigh down the warrior.
- The Metal Boss – Right in the center of each shield was a round, metal dome called a “boss.” This strong piece protected the hand holding the shield and could also be used to punch an enemy in close combat.
- Leather Covers – Many shields were covered with leather or rawhide stretched tightly over the wood. This helped stop the shield from breaking or splintering when struck by weapons.
- Bright and Bold – Vikings loved to decorate their shields with bright paints and patterns – stripes, spirals, and sometimes even symbols believed to bring protection or luck in battle.
- Shield Walls – Viking warriors used their shields to form a “shield wall,” standing side by side with overlapping shields. This made a strong defense that was very hard for enemies to break through.
- Not Just for Battle – Shields had other uses too! Vikings sometimes used them as sleds to slide down snowy hills, as shields from rain, or even as drums for music during celebrations.
- Light but Strong – A typical Viking shield weighed around 3 to 4 kilograms (6 to 9 pounds), light enough to carry all day but strong enough to stop an arrow or sword blow.
- Viking Ship Shields – On longboats, shields were hung on the sides of the ship like a colorful fence. This helped protect the crew from attacks and the cold spray of ocean waves.
- Shield Repairs – Archaeologists have found shields with lots of repairs, showing Vikings took good care of their gear and fixed them to last through many adventures and battles.
Thank you for joining us on this shield adventure! Whether you’re a parent looking to share Viking stories or a little Viking warrior ready to defend your own shield, remember: it’s not just wood and metal — it’s a symbol of courage, protection, and the spirit of adventure.
With shield raised high and a smile on my face,
I’m Sigrid, your trusty Lil Longboat Shield Maiden.
May your adventures be brave, your hearts be bold,
and your shields always keep you safe!
Until next time, skål!
Sigrid
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