What is a shield in heraldry?

In heraldry, an escutcheon (/ɪˈskʌtʃən/) is a shield that forms the main or focal element in an achievement of arms. The word can be used in two related senses. In the first sense, an escutcheon is the shield upon which a coat of arms is displayed.

What in heraldry is an escutcheon?

escutcheon, in furniture design, an armorial shield sometimes applied to the centre of pediments on pieces of fine furniture and, also, the metal plate that surrounds a keyhole or the pivoting metal plate that sometimes covers the keyhole.

What is the shield shape?

Definitions of shield-shaped. adjective. (of a leaf shape) round, with the stem attached near the center of the lower surface rather than the margin (as a nasturtium leaf for example) synonyms: peltate simple, unsubdivided. (botany) of leaf shapes; of leaves having no divisions or subdivisions.

What are bands on shields called?

In heraldry, a bar is an ordinary consisting of a horizontal band across the shield. If only one bar appears across the middle of the shield, it is termed a fess; if two or more appear, they can only be called bars.

What shield shape is best?

As has been said, kite shields give better protection to the legs, but round shields (when held edge facing your opponent) can give better protection to an extended arm. Harry Marinakis wrote: Round shields often come with a center grip, which means they are susceptible to being pushed around and opened up to attack.

What did medieval heralds do?

herald, originally, an officer in medieval Europe charged with carrying messages to and from the commanders of opposing armies; in modern times, a professional authority on armorial history and genealogy.

What is the strongest shield in history?

But perhaps the most well-known shield from classical history is the Greek aspis (or hoplon if your lips are feeling frisky). The aspis was round shield, made of wood and often covered in leather. Sometimes a layer of bronze was added for added nose-breaking strength.

Who made the first shield?

During the 14th–13th century BC, the Sards or Shardana, working as mercenaries for the Egyptian pharaoh Ramses II, utilized either large or small round shields against the Hittites. The Mycenaean Greeks used two types of shields: the “figure-of-eight” shield and a rectangular “tower” shield.