[Ansteorra] Round Shields

[David Hughes]

Ulf Gunnarsson wrote:
>
> Question for those who do weapons and armor research, especially fighters:
>
> Why did Vikings use round shields so much?
>
SNIP
> I'd be interested in playing with this theory a little bit, but some other
> questions immediately come up.  Why did the round shield disappear?  Was
> there a change in sword steel quality at the same time as its disappearance?
> Was it a cultural assimilation thing?  Was it due to a change in military
> tactics?  Is there something I'm overlooking here?
>
> If someone has a few sources to help support the tenets of the theory or to
> help answer the questions, I'd appreciate a little more info.
>
> Thanks,
> Ulf Gunnarsson, OL
>

Round shields are fast, easy to maneuver, and very easy to run with.
Great for solo and small unit skirmishing.  Not to good for
overlapping in large formations or turtling against missile fire.

Scotums, kites and other large heaters, rectangles are more static, a
pain to run with, but overlap very well, work great in large marching
formations, and can turtle up against arrows, spears, sling bullets
and even small ballista projectiles.

David Gallowglass