Evidence of Viking Shield Patterns and Colors

Viking shields are commonly portrayed as brightly colored and highly stylized. How is it that we have come to conclusion. The following is a list of all evidence I can find as to the reconstruction of how Viking shields looked.

• The "Gokstad ship" was found in Norway and 32 shields lining each of the gunwales. They were painted alternately in black and yellow.  This is the only evidence of colorful shields. 

Runestone carving, from Gotland (Sweden). It clearly depicts a "pinwheel" pattern emanating form the shield boss. There also appears to be a rim on the shield. Archeologists suspect rawhide, as there is unsubstantial evidence to suggest iron.

The Tangelgarda Stone, from Gotland.

Actual Viking Shield

This shield was found near Copenhagen, Denmark. It is made of fir wood and measures 32" in diameter. http://www.nbcnews.com/id/26772763/ns/technology_and_science-science/t/-year-old-viking-shield-found-denmark/#.Vr6rlFpiPJz

The is supposedly comprised of seven planks which are 8mm thick, but which taper to 5mm at the edges.

Windlass Hewing Spear

In preparation for shooting the sequel to my short film "Viking Proverb", I made a spear with the Windlass Hewing Spear head.  I mounted it to a short flag pole, the type you'd hang off your porch.  This made the spear very short, but also very maneuverable. I used a nail to secure the head to shaft and simply cut the point off and peened it over. Because of the way the hole in the spearhead was cut, the peen actually ended up flush with the rest of the socket.  Look for this badass weapon in the short film "Viking Toothache".

The nail end peened over to lock the head onto the shaft.

A look at the original nail head.

Making a Viking Shield Boss

Current work in progress, a piece a 14 gauge steel that I'm pounding into a shield boss using a ball peen hammer and a dished stump.

Italian Mosaic Depicting a Norman Warrior

"Mosaic from the destroyed Santa Maria Maggiore Basillica in Vercelli. Italy 11th-12th century"

I found this picture very interesting because I am currently working on a script for a short film about the Norman conquest of southern Italy, specifically the Battle of Civitate.

The fellow on the left looks very much to me like a Norman, due to his kite shield and shirt style. His shoes look like the "Viking" boots similar to the ones found in Yorvik, and his sword and facial hair also seem to lend themselves to the Norman persuasion, though I do not count that as strong evidence. The period that the mosaic is dated to falls into the same time as the Norman activity. They originally came to help fight Saracens, so perhaps that is his opponent to the right.

The depiction of the fighting I do find interesting, however, as it seems that the "Norman" is using his long shield to jam up both of his opponents weapons. With his sword in a high guard, he seems poised to either deliver a fatal thrust to his enemies face or sweep low for his exposed leg.

I also find interest in the concept of kite shield vs round shield. Perhaps this indicates a transitional period of shield use between the two types. Or perhaps the kite shield is truly indicative of his Norman identity.

In any event, I have definitely found this image useful as I work on designing the costume pieces for my film.