How to Make a Real Historically Accurate Viking Shield

[@alexissjc409]

Wow, not only is this a history video but a DIY how-to... the first on metatrons channel i believe... this is a blessing for people like me who like metatron wants to own historically accurate weapons and armour

[@kylesprenkel680]

he made something out of flint (or was it obsidian?) in one video before. check it out.

[@dragonofhatefulretribution9041]

Same here!🙌🏻Really loved the video as well👌🏻

[@ModernKnight]

Excellent video. Great to see the reproduction plus the research backing it up, combined to make a detailed and practical shield.

[@sevenproxies4255]

Your videos are quite excellent too Jason!

[@metatronyt]

Thank you Jason! It’s always an honour to have you in my comment section.

[@ollep9142]

There are a few more things to consider about viking shields: 1. The archaeological findings are mostly (all?) shields used in burials. The burial was a display of wealth and power, so it's fair to assume that the shields found were custom made for that occasion, not for combat! That said, the general appearance and some details would be the same as used for combat shields. 2. Written sources tell us two additional facts about the shields used for combat: a) The shields were not expected to last very long in battle. A participant in the formal duel known as "holmgång" (a fight taking place on a small islet until only one participant remains) was not allowed to bring more that three shields, suggesting that having more than three shields for one fight would be advantageous. b) Not being very durable, the shields were *cheap* mass produced items! (As opposed to the elaborate and finely crafted burial items.) So what changes should be made to the shown design to make it better represent a regular combat shield? One suitable hypothesis is presented in the Norwegian book "Vikings at war" by Kim Hjardar, historian, and Vegard Vike, arcaeologist, both at Oslo University. Their idea is that the wooden disc is just there to provide the general shape. Most of the shield's strength and "armour" is provided by applying a layer of *fresh* (sloppy wet an full thickness) raw hide to both sides of the disc. Fold it over at the edges and stitch it in place along the edge. Then fasten the boss, squeezing the hide thin around the opening in the middle, and cut away the hide covering the hole. Having hide on both sides prevents it from warping the disc as the hide shrinks and hardens. Dried raw hide is really hard and tough! Once dry the hide needs a healthy dose of lacquer or similar to prevent it from getting wet again, and colour pigments can be mixed into that lacquer to make it look good. The requirement of bringing lots of shields to a battle have made *me* think of a new theory: "Shield maidens", as mentioned in some historical sources, were not female warriors but simply carriers of spare shields for the fighting men. Not unlike those that haul more ammunition to the soldiers fighting in front line of modern battlefields.

[@secularnevrosis]

One practical bit of covering both sides is that you also avoid getting wooden splinters sprayed in your face if the shield receives a hard hit. I recommend this for reenactment and show fights. May it only be one layer of linen and glue or more historic with rawhide on both sides.

[@Schandorf-ms8sm]

The trelleborg shield is an example of a shield that is not from a burial

[@diezelfunk]

I just love the production quality increase over the years. It's amazing.

[@metatronyt]

I'm glad you noticed!

[@diezelfunk]

@@metatronyt What can I say, other than it's absolutely wonderful!

[@James35142]

Would love to see this become a series. Keep it up, Metatron.

[@SergioLeonardoCornejo]

I love these historical channels which display how historically accurate things are. While we might still make use of the fictionalized styles, it is better to at least know how historically accurate things looked, just in case we want to get realistic.

[@gromswowguide7927]

Hi interesting video as always Metatron, greetings from a guy who lives 15 mins away from Trelleborg.

[@metatronyt]

Hello there!

[@sevenproxies4255]

The rawhide rim seems to fulfill a purpose of holding the shield boards together very tightly in excess of the glue. Since it shrinks around the entire rim of the wooden circle I imagine it must exert a fair bit of tension evenly all over it.

[@FirstLast-wk3kc]

If a god of KZbin would exist, you clearly would be His Voice, Metatron)))

[@matthewneuendorf5763]

bUt MeTaTrOn, ThEy CoUlDn'T sEe BlUe!!!!!1!1!11 This is an amazing project. I very much appreciate the level of detail and depth of research that you've put into this. I'd love to see a replica medieval Roman kite shield (complete with iconography on the facing), if you decide to do more of these practical archeology replica projects.

[@marcogenovesi8570]

the greek coulodn't see blue so they would have not seen vikings. STEALTH SHIELD

[@j_crump6300]

Wait what? Who couldn’t see blue?

[@HipposHateWater]

​​@@j_crump6300OP was mocking a sensationalist claim floating around that certain ancient cultures psychologically couldn't perceive "blue" like we do nowadays. It's flimsy at best, and based almost entirely on misinterpretations of artistic phrasings in the Homeric epics (i.e. "wine-red seas"), combined with a badly misinterpreted series of tests involving some modern desert tribes and the disproportionate variety of terms for varieties of browns and greens vs blues in their language/s.

[@j_crump6300]

@@HipposHateWater why thank you

[@Aswaguespack]

Fantastic Historical Presentation on true Viking Shields. Very interesting and I hope you follow up on this type of video with other similar presentations. Thanks Metatron for another fabulous video.

[@metatronyt]

Thanks! That's the plan!

[@Aswaguespack]

@@metatronyt great plan!

[@carltonbauheimer]

Cheese glue? That's wild. No idea something like that ever existed.

[@cahallo5964]

Blood memories lead the kids to eat the glue in my school I now understand their behaviour

[@Mode-Selektor]

This explains why some Vikings were fond of biting their shields.

[@LeonidasSparta-Fun-History]

Lovely shield! I have been looking forward to seeing it since i saw your post on facebook!

[@thebigone6969]

The Metatron continues to amaze on a daily basis!!!! He truly is the greatest man to ever live!!!!

[@Echo_419]

I just watch these videos so I can be called a "noble one." The knowledge and content of the video is just extra.

[@muttmankc]

Love the piano, guessing many have no idea of your talent, and would enjoy hearing you play. A full rendition of the pieces from the old 'Piano Morning with Metatron' video would be incredible! Maybe? Oh, the shield stuff was interesting, too. 🙃

[@PhinAI]

This answers many questions I had, and more that I didn't know to ask. Excellent!

[@jamesedmison2768]

Love the cinematography

[@faenwulf9159]

This shield looks really, really well done! Just two things I would like to note: 1) The bigger size of modern bosses is due to the leather gloves, yes. But the reason for those is very simple: Safety while fighting. Yes, you already have a big shield covering your hands, but I've seen more than one shield break after continuous use (because often they are home made by people with little knowledge) or a spear tip go through a thin shield. 2) I'm not a fan of the way the strap is attached. I get the historical evidence, but I think just putting a leather strap with a buckle around the grip would be better, because then the whole belt can be easily discarded in case you need to fight. The way it's done here makes it so that the strap is constantly dangling around somewhere or you need to grip it with your shield hand, additionally to the grip itself, which I would find rather uncomfortable.

[@mtgAzim]

Yours is one of the very few channels that I don't use an ad blocker on. It's quite literally, the least I can do. ^_^

[@metatronyt]

Wow, thanks!

[@fredazcarate4818]

Brilliant mini documentary; I thoroughly enjoyed the narrative. Since I am part Norse I appreciate the research that went into the presentation. God bless you and your wife.

[@larsrons7937]

Very well producted, your videos have taken a leap upwards the last year. The diverse clips chosen made it more intriguing to watch. The background music was calm, pleasant, it fit well. And a interesting topic. You gave me an urge to build my own Viking shield. Something came over me and I just watched your wedding stream again. I was honoured to be invited with your other followers. What a beautiful ceremony. I hope you are still happy and enjoying a future together. Thanks for the video. Best wishes from Denmark.

[@carloszenil7873]

Beautiful intro, man / Bella introduzione, amico

[@HONESTWISDOM]

There’s a lot of unknown facts regarding that time period . Just because something wasn’t found doesn’t mean it didn’t exist , this is something to consider. Great video!

[@epiqur6574]

Ah this channel always has the best content. I love the research the was put into creating this object, it really feels like it was took straight away from 10th centaury! Awesome

[@huntercleveland7950]

I said it before, and I'll say it again. I am so glad I stumbled across your chanel earlier this year. You are my favorite KZbinr for knowledge, almost everything history, and for historical evaluation and analysis. And also you're a great story teller in a sense.

[@charlesghannoumlb2959]

I think we all missed those kind of educational videos RAFF, at least am talking bout myself, great video and hapoy holidays man

[@loquat44-40]

I would be interested in seeing those shields tested against swords, spears, axes, hammers, and arrows.

[@kingslegion1]

my gosh how discriptive, very much appreciated. ..

[@dragonofhatefulretribution9041]

Loved this video🔥10/10. I’ll most-likely be requesting a custom Celtic shield purchase of my own sometime in the near future!👌🏻🐲

[@Sanguicat]

I love these kinds of shields 💓 Scutae made you a beautiful looking shield, great video, metatron :]

[@jasonhudson7697]

Beautiful piece, great info. Curious to see how such a shield holds up in combat.

[@andreiduduman4220]

Such a poetic introduction!

[@paulkopacz5051]

Thank you for this very informative video. This will help me finish my own home made shield I have been working on and off for some time. Very nice!

[@romanista77]

That ending is so very Hulk TV show from the 1980s! Great video! Very interested in these types of shields

[@Perrin-the-Fletcher]

This video was the inspiration for my heater shield in woodworking class. Keep up the good content!

[@ducomaritiem7160]

Nice stuff. Thankx, perhaps I will make one. I did a Norman kite shield and a small viking one times ago.

[@frankmonagas5868]

I also made my migration era shield in similar manor. I opted for bronze clamps around my hyde trimmed shield. I used basswood planks and also did a distal taper. My shield has more of a Anglo- Saxon influence to counter the Viking invaders.

[@EoThorne]

"Honey! He's making history sound sexy, again!"

[@Mode-Selektor]

What a beautiful work of art.

[@Alex-tn7pv]

2:48 I love those Scandinavian names. They sound so... medieval.

[@gazzertrn]

Metatron just goes from strength too strength , vids getting better than ever. Always studies the acuracy of every subject he films . Power too the noble one.

[@metatronyt]

I’m glad you like my work!

[@gazzertrn]

@@metatronyt Love it .Thankyou .

[@Llyrin]

Ring Irish, I have to admit I’d be more interested in a Celtic shield, but I’ve always been interested in Norse mythology, which makes Viking shields interesting to.

[@hataeshik66]

Heja Sverige! Go Sweden! I'm from Sweden and I have visited a lot of Norse sites......very interesting!

[@joseluisnd75]

Really interesting and a great work. Would be really interesting you made a similar video about the adarga, a kind of hardened leather shield used by Spanish since the moorish times until XVIIIth century in the northern territories of the Spanish Empire (todays New México and Texas) by the Dragones de Cuera.

[@gregtheredneck1715]

Where does the viking shield come from? It comes from the land of ice and snow, from the midnight sun where the hot springs flow.

[@dicnar]

I Would love to hear more about the historicly accurate shield designs. I’m putting together a Saga warband for some tabletop pillaging and i’m wondering how to paint their shields. Most of the decals seem to fancy to be true to the actuall ornaments.

[@stevendepauw3742]

Cooll! I would love to see a video about differences in Frankish and Anglo-Saxon and Scandinavian shields :O

[@phillipallen3259]

Because the majority of Viking shields were primarily made of organic material, we have a remarkably small number of examples. Considering that a Viking duel could destroy up to five shields with one shield remaining intact. Viking duels were not uncommon at Things. Add to that combat and you end up with hundreds of not thousands of shields a year for the two hundred plus years of the "Viking Age" plus the few hundred years prior to the "Viking Age" where the skill and technology was learned. What I'm saying is there is wiggle room in creating viking shields. Cookie cutter Viking shields don't impress me, but the time and research used to create yours does! Well done!

[@dusfitz]

One thing I have to add, is that traveller's and craftsmen who had interactions with the Norse wrote and flat out stole ideas for shields from them. I cannot remember where I read it, but I'm positive it was a Mediterranean scholor, who said they made their shields from two layers of wood and they crossed the grain. This was perhaps later in their history as I do not remember when this person lived. (I was in college 16 years ago and the internet is not great for finding resources books from the early 2000s)

[@sciverzero8197]

About the thickness, in my research I've found that 8mm is actually on the rather high end, and several examples range around 5 or 6. It was a point that stuck with me because they really aren't very thick, but it does inform us about how they were used, as some of them do have what would seem to battle marks, meaning its less likely we only have these shields as survivorship bias examples. The very thin construction suggests to me that A: thin wood is still fairly effective, and B the shields were likely used less as a bulwark to stop incoming attacks, and more of a wedge to redirect them actively through motion. However, 8mm does seem to show up in multiple examples as well. So it seems they had a sort of general idea of thickness rather than a specific pattern they held very carefully to. The bosses are often quite different and the edge banding is likewise varied, but the general construction does seem fairly consistent aside from detail. Cool video; I don't think the contruction of artifacts gets enough coverage most of the time.

[@eganengelhardt3078]

That's funny my Native American ancestors use duck poop to create the color blue. And because duck poop is and was readily available as one of the cheapest colors for us Native American peoples.

[@guyincognito959]

That intro. Very nice. Reminds me of Valhalla, and I haven´t even been there...

[@ronbird121]

wow ok now i know my shields are too chunky, ok i got work to do. and its a very special thing that he shares so many details on his work.

[@The_Gallowglass]

Yeah I'd love to do one myself. Have a bunch of copper clamps all around the circumference and punch/tool in some really awesome knotwork or other designs.

[@jakelowery7398]

Nice, I was literally thinking about making one today and wondered how

[@jjdejag2704]

Can you make a video about how to make a historically accurate movie that is both entertaining and well written but also true to history.

[@tokugawaieyasu3754]

Well metatron. You should do other DIY vids on shields Like ancient Japanese shields (pre samurai)

[@renaudtheis1197]

Next step is having Tod from Tod’s workshop shoot some arrow at it and see how it stops them. Or not.

[@andrzejmaranda3699]

Metatron: VERY INTERESTING & INFORMATIVE video!

[@Nonnek9]

Love the videos about vikings ❤ need more !

[@chrisvanlaarhoven2722]

Hmm, made my own shield a while back.. but looking at this (for me) new and better information I think I have to adjust a few things.

[@ezrafaulk3076]

This really shows just how *ingenious* the Norse were when it came to the development of their weapons and armor! *Far* from the brawn over brains people they're often portrayed as! With that outta the way, I think it'd be *really* cool for you to do another Top 10 video; *this* time on the top 10 weapons of each *Polynesian* culture. There's some *really* cool weapons that different Polynesian cultures had, like the Hawaiian Pahi Kuah; a *sword* made from a Swordfish, Marlin, or Sawfish bill. Pretty cool right?

[@Viranna95]

just look at the boats the Norse were using much more advanced then any boat in England and and most of the world at that time they could be in open waters sail over the 7 seas and still go in lands on shallow waters as well :)

[@ezrafaulk3076]

@@Viranna95 I know about that too; I just wanted to focus on the shield here in the comments on this video about the shield because he went into *detail* about how it was constructed, which really makes it clear that they *too* are far more sophisticated than commonly portrayed.

[@saeyabor]

"Scutae Borealis" I see what they did there.

[@pumbar]

Excellent and informative video, Raf. Thank you.

[@metatronyt]

Glad it was helpful!

[@wadejustanamerican1201]

Very cool, hope you had a great Thanksgiving.

[@filmandfirearms]

You should check out Risen. It's from the perspective of a Roman Tribune tasked with finding the body of Christ after it disappears from his tomb. Personally, I thought it was quite good and had a very believable depiction of the Romans, despite them clearly being shown to be in the wrong

[@pizzaman6784]

I’m just glad that “Wegetius” isn’t mentioned in this video.

[@TruePirateKing12]

Very nice shield. The eggs being used as a binding agent never occurred to me.

[@andreassamoreno4252]

The last part of the video looked like some kind of RPG.

[@daniel-zh9nj6yn6y]

17:25 When you want to go raiding, but all your friends are busy 😞

[@ukriroutalempi5124]

Your best video by far!!!!

[@metatronyt]

Thank you my friend

[@deathdeathington]

I imagine an oak shield would weigh slightly more than a pine shield.

[@Tony.795]

I'm currently trying to build one and shaping the disc with hand tools is the largest part of the work I think. I'ts also quite a challenge to get a straight board if your sections are not perfectly planed by a machine.

[@SanoyNimbus]

So, are you now building upp a full set of Viking gear? I do hope so! Would be nice to see your choice of clothings, armor and weapons ...

[@metatronyt]

Yes I am!

[@marcelbeck6865]

Gracias Rafael. Como siempre muy instructivo y entretenido.

[@kenrudd6362]

like how you braided your hair for this video it fits well

[@muhammadahmad1851]

Hi Metatron, can you share with us about how to make a Scutum? I'm still confused with how the handle was made even I knew the angle of it...just how to attach it🤔

[@The8bitbeard]

I tried making a viking age shield some time ago. Mine is too heavy and unwieldy to use properly. The planks I used aren't tapered and are too thick. I didn't face the shield at all. I did use rawhide to edge it, but I nailed it to the shield and it's not the cleanest work. I think it's time for a 2nd attempt, this time using some of the specs from this video.

[@metatronyt]

Let me know how it goes!

[@einarbolstad8150]

Excellent stuff.

[@slicerneons3300]

The Poetatron has spread his wings!

[@TheRainblossoms]

Researching shield construction and also reading some of the sagas transcribed by Snorri Sturluson, It amazes me how thin their shields were. Probably just a one-time use affair. And it seems like a lot of effort to make a new shield for every battle, if one survives the conflict. My personal round shield is 12mm thick and even though that may not be accurate, I'm not bothered since it survives multiple close combat situations. I've seen blunt axe heads go straight through 7mm shields that people have put a lot of effort into constructing. So, historically accurate or not, a thin shield sounds like a liability in exchange for manoeuvrability.

[@cahallo5964]

"Your shield breaks too much? Just parry lol" -some viking

[@Hades-im1ml]

I often think that saga's description tend to be too epic. Like cut shield in half piece in one sword blow remind me your nowadays film's. Because when you face your shield with one or two layers of hide properly glued, your shield is sturdy! But it's made to catch blade so it will not survive much that 2/3 violents skirmishes or battles. Some scholar think that Holmagang shields where specially made for it. Maybe just painted plank glued together. Break easily and allow the rules of 3 shields per duels. Just my two cents :)

[@Mundiz_]

Beautiful!

[@chuckbowie5833]

Great stuff!

[@joshuapreston7170]

This makes me want one

[@LarryGarfieldCrell]

I came for a build video, and got a poetry reading. And I'm OK with that.

[@blaf55]

love your hair brother

[@Blondie42]

Upcoming viking armor/sword video? To go with the shield and jewelry.

[@johng1097]

Great video !

[@metatronyt]

Thank you John, I’m glad you like it

[@dan_the_dj]

You covered pretty much everything I could possibly think of asking, as usual... But I have to ask now about the planks. Theyre regular sawn ones, not split, right?

[@mnk9073]

On one hand I'd love to see how this shield holds up against arrows shot from period bows, sling shot and thrown javelins or axes but on the other I can't stand the idea of this work of art getting abused...

[@rimerdijkstra5826]

so the rawhide would first be soaked and once soaked it would be cut and sewn into a loop 15 to 20 centimeters smaller than the shield? are these measurements from the dried loop or once it is wet and thus more flexible?

[@Soronacabricot]

What a coincidence, yesterday i searched on internet how to make a heater shield xD

[@conorhudson1486]

more of this!

[@Scotland_the_Brave1984_McCabe]

That's cool how they do the cow hide outer ring

[@ericvanvlandren8987]

Great video!!!

[@tomhalla426]

What about the leather facing? Rawhide? Cuir boillie? Bootsole leather?

[@esmeraldagreen1992]

He said rawhide

[@alanlangmaid3735]

This was very informative and educational. I have a question relating to the front of the shield. did they always cover the shield in rawhide or would there be instances where the shield was left uncovered?

[@fatihahenouze2036]

The size of the shield depends on the holder if it shorter he need smaller shield

[@caranorn]

I don't understand how you would get dry rawhide onto the shield for it's covering. From a modern standpoint, I've never seen rawhide sold that is not rolled, so the only way to flatten it is a soak it in water first. I'm not sure how rawhide was stored historically. Maybe this is also an issue of what type of hide is used and how thick it is. In any case, with some experimenting it should not be difficult to attach the hide to the shield while wet, you just have to experiment a bit. I've only built heater shields and only managed to break one set of shields with rawhide. That time we were working with bought plank shield forms ('Schild Rohlinge'), being used to the non historic plywood I stretched it too much (and the friend who had organised the work session had a) bought much too thick hide and b) soaked it for the whole night (hard to tell exact thickness under those circumstances)) and by the next day all three shields had broken. Unfortunately I did not get to see the broken shields myself (the friend through them away in disgust) to examine whether there was a structural issue or whether it was my fault entirely. Before that I never had that problem and the wet hide makes for a very smooth surface. I will be moving soon and will have my own workshop to experiment at that time, so I plan to build a series of shields using different methods (some modern) and materials. One thing to experiment on is the double-sided rawhide made from a single piece seen on 13th century shields. But I will move my experimentations step by step, from a half sized (it's a gift to hang on a wall) plywood with just single side hide and modern paint to double side hide on plank shield, gesso and egg tempera paint. But again, thickness of the hide would be a really important factor, most of the rawhides we get today are from large cattle, some even water buffalo, and are therefore thicker than historic hide would have been. But the same applies to leather in general where the average thickness we get today is 4mm while historic sources seem to indicate about 2mm, splitting straps is always possible, but I can't imagine doing that to a whole hide (outside a factory). P.S.: I won't be building any 'Viking' Age shields, I have no use for them, though I will certainly take a look at their documentation.