Medieval shields

part of shield

thumb|Soldiers shooting guns through holes in stationary shields (pavise), Ming dynasty, from the Shenqipu, 1598

thumb|right|Buckler front and back thumb|200px|Sword and buckler combat, plate from the Tacuinum Sanitatis illustrated in [[Lombardy, ca. 1390.]] thumb|150px|Irish round shield

large, almond-shaped shield

thumb|A Highland targe exhibited in the National Museum of Scotland The targe () is a type of strapped round shield that was used by Scottish Highlanders in the early modern period. From the late 16th century, until the Battle of Culloden in 1746, the Scottish Highlander's main means of defence in battle was his targe. In February 1596, the clan leader John Grant of Freuchie was able to muster 500 men, including 40 armed "according to the Highland custom" with bows, helmets, swords, and targes. After the disastrous defeat of the Jacobites at Culloden, the carrying of the targe was banned by th

form of European medieval shield whose shape resembles that of a clothes iron

thumb|A parade rondache in metal from the 16th century The rondache or roundel was a shield carried by late Medieval and Renaissance foot soldiers (swordsman). It was made of boards of light wood, sinews or ropes, covered with leather, plates of metal, or stuck full of nails in concentric circles or other figures. Widespread among the infantrymen of northern Italy in the 15th century.

defensive armour