The Yetholm-type shield is a distinctive type of shield dating from 1300-800 BC. The known shields come from Britain and Ireland, excepting one from Denmark. Their modern name comes from Yetholm in southern Scotland where a peat bog yielded three examples. Twenty-two examples are known, although some of these are fragmentary, and a further seven or eight are known from written sources but are lost today. The shields vary significantly in size, but are otherwise similar.
Yetholm-type shield from South Cadbury. Displayed at Museum of Somerset, Taunton.
The Wittenham shield, showing perforations that may have been caused by a spearhead
Image: 0066 Shield in the Meyrick Collection q 75 492x 500
Image: 0067 Circular British Shield q 75 496x 500
A shield is a piece of personal armour held in the hand, which may or may not be strapped to the wrist or forearm. Shields are used to intercept specific attacks, whether from close-ranged weaponry or projectiles such as arrows, by means of active blocks, as well as to provide passive protection by closing one or more lines of engagement during combat.
Zulu chief Goza and two of his councillors in war-dress, all with Nguni shields, c.1870. The size of the shield on the chief's left arm denotes his status, and the white colour that he is a married man.
Wall painting depicting a Mycenaean Greek "figure eight", 15th century BC, National Archaeological Museum, Athens
Elaborate and sophisticated shields from the Philippines.
Two wooden round shields survived at Thorsberg moor (3rd century AD)
