Earliest depiction of a Western-European kite shield

[druzhina345]

I have previously written that Ian Heath's idea that the kite-shaped shield was depicted in Europe for the first time in the 'Codex Aureus of Echternach', (The Gospel of Otto III). Germanisches Nationalmuseum in Nuremberg, Germany was based on a dating on the reused ivory cover as c. 983-991AD, but, the manuscript is now dated as 1030-1050AD.
The earliest depiction of a Western-European kite shield may be in a Carolingian Bible, Northern France, 976-1000AD. Bibliothèque nationale de France, Latin 46, which was previously dated after 1000.


Mirror sites
Ottonian Infantry in Armies of the Dark Ages 600-1066 by Ian Heath, based on the Codex Aureus of Echternach or Codex aureus Epternacensis
The Codex Aureus of Echternach or Codex aureus Epternacensis
Soldier with Kite Shield in a Carolingian Bible, folio 69v, lettre ornée at the start of Deuteronomy, Northern France, 976-1000AD. Bibliothèque nationale de France. Latin 46.

Druzhina345
Carolingian illustrations of costume and soldier

[paleologos]

Interesting info.

[Mamlaz]

Interestingly, it seems like a strap design instead of (the most usual at the time)center grip.

[Roma_Victrix]

Interesting! Thanks for sharing.

[Hanny]

https://myarmoury.com/talk/viewtopic...&view=previous