Authentic Viking Age shield replica put to the test

In June 2019, we put our authentic Viking Age shield to the test. The shield is the first true authentic Viking Age shield replica and is based on new research which makes it possible to reconstruct such shields. The research paper can be found here: The reconstruction project itself has been undertaken as a collaboration between Trelleborg Viking Fortress (National Museum of Denmark) and archaeologist Rolf Warming (SoCA), who has directed both the construction of the shield and the experiment. The purpose of the experiment was to gain insight into how an authentic Viking Age round shield would hold up against a series of attacks with weapons of different ranges (arrows, spears, swords, and axes), reflecting the different phases of a battle. Special emphasis was placed on testing the hide components of the shield which was composed of tanned sheep (facing) and tanned calf (rim). These had been traditionally produced based on the new analyses of a shield from Birka (grave Bj 850) by researchers from Society of Combat Archaeology, School of Conservation and Aarhus University (Rolf Warming, René Larsen, Dorte Sommer, Luise Ørsted Brandt and Xenia Pauli Jensen). The experimental trials not only highlight the necessity for applying hide on thin shields but also the significance of the use of authentic hide components. Traditionally tanned leather is of a very different character than modern leather that can be bought in ordinary shops. As a result of the peculiar consistency of the leather, the shield gained some shock-absorbent qualities which obstruct blade alignment and helped deflect powerful cuts. The shield remained fully functional after having been ferociously attacked with arrows, spear, sword and a wonderful two-handed axe (produced by Thor’s forge). The protective gear in the video clip is not meant to be representative of Viking Age armour. The documentation from each of the trials will be released after they have been reviewed and evaluated, so stay tuned! Special thanks to craftsman Tom Jersø, who has assembled the shield, and martial arts expert Lars Lind (SoCA). Video credit: Jacob Nyborg Andreassen. Trelleborg Viking Fortress /National Museum of Denmark.