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survive from the ioth century or later, and the fragments of wood attached to their rivets are lacking, it is difficult to reconstruct circular shields. Lam-inated forms, comprising two layers of wood with the grain of each running at right-angles to increase strength, may have been used. Alternatively, shields, built up from planks probably butted and glued, may have been used. The surface was probably often covered by leather. We know that Anglo-Saxon shields were specified in the ioth century as being covered in buli hide rather than that of sheep. Some shields may not have been covered, especially if madę from one piece of wood. Certainly leather, if glued over the surface, would strengthen the planking.

The borders seen on most shields are also unexplained. The most logical solution is that they represent applied borders rather than painted de-signs, sińce so many show dots or circles as though to represent nail or rivet heads, unless this is simply artistic tradition. Unfortunately, even on earlier circular shields, these strips are extremely rare. Another possibility in some cases is that the holes are for stitching the leather to the shield face. Whether rims were madę of iron, bronze, leather or all three can again only be surmised. The curved bands are often depicted in Carolingian, Ottonian, Anglo-Saxon, Viking and even Pictish art over the centuries; they may represent pieces of leather stitched tog-ether, or reinforcing bands of iron.

His sword has been handed down. It is pattern-welded and fitted with a contemporary ‘tea-cosy’ pommel. The scabbard, of wood covered in leather, has a supporting strap joined to the rear of the belt to hang the weapon at a convenient angle and prevent

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The fallen warrior, in this scene ofDa vid and Goliath, wcars chausses which show how they were laced under the shoe. Notice the rendition of the chausses, a featurc of this period which has led some to arguc that different types of armour are being worn. (By permission of the British Library, Add. Ms. 14789 f.io)

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