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references to lacing helmets is common. It also helped prevent them from being knocked over the

eyes.

The finał item of armour for the knight was his shield. The first Normans would have carried a circular wooden shield, probably faced and perhaps lined with leather. A bar riveted vertically inside the shield allowed it to be carried and to accommodate the knuckles a hole was cut from the centre of the shield. In order to protect the exposed hand a conical metal boss was then riveted over the front. A longer strap allowed the shield to be hung in the hall or slung on the back; it also prevented loss in battle if dropped. A strop for the hand rather than a bar seems to have been used occassionally by c.noo, also being pro-vided with an additional strap for the forearm. A pad to lessen the shock of blows may also have been provided. Although such additional strapping does not greatly assist in using such shields, some may have been added when carried by mounted men who might need to use the reins. Many shields are illustrated with an edging but surviving examples are very rare. Though such borders may simply have been painted, it seems likely that leather, iron or bronze strips may have been used to reinforce the edges. A number of illustrations suggest that some shields were additionally strengthened by bands springing from the central boss to the outer edge. Some are also shown as rather ovoid in shape but whether this reflects a true shape is open to ąuestion.

In about the year iooo such shields were sup-plemented by the introduction of a new type, the so-called kite-shaped shield. In this form the lower edge of the circular shield was drawn down to a point, the resulting shape being similar to the old-fashioned kitę. It has been said that this form was ideał for

William confers arms on Earl Harold during his visit to Normandy, probably in 1064. The thick bands on the helmets suggest spangenhelms. The ‘tails’on William’shelmet are like the infulae on a bishop’s mitrę and may be a badge ofrank, making him easy to spot from behind. The coifs do not appear to be o f mail and are probably of leather. Notice the sword worn beneath the mail. (Bayeux Tapestry. With special permission of the town of Bayeux)

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