Round Shield Bosses

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Viking Age Compendium articles on Shields:

Wargear

Wargear

Round Shields Overview

Round Shields Overview

Shields found in Britain

Shields found in Britain

Round Shield Designs

Round Shield Designs

Kite Shields

Kite Shields

Wargear

Wargear

Round Shields Overview

Round Shields Overview

Shields found in Britain

Shields found in Britain

Round Shield Designs

Round Shield Designs

Kite Shields

Kite Shields

Also known as an Umbo.

Introduction

Cauldron from Micklebostad, Norway

By area

Sweden, Birka

68 shields in 58 graves, 8 graves with 2 shields. Less than 50% could be categorised into the typology.

Denmark

Shields have been found in 28 burials in Denmark. ^{(PEDERSEN 2014A p.96-98)}

Viking Domed

The typologies used for Viking domed bosses are:

• From Rygh 1885: R564, R562, R563, R565 ^{(RYGH 1885)}
• From Hjardar & Vike 2016: A, B, C, D1, D2, D3, E ^{(HJARDAR & VIKE 2016 p.185)}

Rygh's typology is the most widely referred to and was used by Petersen in 1919 ^{(PETERSEN 1919)} and almost all books and papers since. A new typology is presented in Hjardar & Vike 'Vikings at War'. Little information is given regarding the typology in the book. ^{(HJARDAR & VIKE 2016 p.185)}

R564 / Type A

"Shield-boss with an approximately hemispherical dome and a high, clearly offset neck increasing slightly in diameter towards a flat or slightly slanting flange. A variant has a less pronounced transition between dome and neck, and a lower neck."(PEDERSEN 2014A p.98) Date - From AD 700 to AD 925.

• Norway, Myklebost

• Universitetsmuseenes Webportal [Myklebost Cauldron]

• Sweden, Birka

2 in Bj 628, Bj 798, Bj 1098 (Arbman 1940:Taf. 16:1 & 3)

Dia:14.5-17cm H:6.5-10cm

• Arwidsson, Greta (ed.) (1986) Birka II:2 Systematische Analysen der Graberfunde. [Systematic Analysis of the Graves Findings] Birka, Kungliga Vitterhets Historie och Antikvitets Akademien: II:2

  p.39-40
• Arbman, Holger (1940) Birka 1b Die Graber: Tafeln. [The Graves: Plates] Birka, Kungliga Vitterhets Historie och Antikvitets Akademien: Ib

R562 / Type B

"Shield-boss with a lower, not quite hemispherical dome without a pronounced transition towards a very low neck."(PEDERSEN 2014A p.98) Date - From AD 830 to AD 970.

• England, Cumbria: Cumwhitton

Grave 4. Described as R564/R562. ^{(PATERSON 2014)}

• Ireland, Kilmainham c.1836

lost. Probably of type R562 ^{(HARRISON & Ó FLOINN 2014 p.313)}

• Ireland, Kilmainham 1845

D340(W1;Wk3) ^{(HARRISON & Ó FLOINN 2014 p.324-325)}

D341(W2;Wk20) ^{(HARRISON & Ó FLOINN 2014 p.324-326)}

• Ireland, Islandbridge 1866A

R2362(Wk7;Boe Wk7) ^{(HARRISON & Ó FLOINN 2014 p.434)}

• Ireland, Islandbridge 1869

Wk2(Boe Wk2) ^{(HARRISON & Ó FLOINN 2014 p.324-325)}

• Ireland, Co. Kerry: Cloghermore

99E0413:145:1-3 ^{(HARRISON & Ó FLOINN 2014 p.624)}

• Ireland, Co. Galway: Eyrephort

1947:53 ^{(HARRISON & Ó FLOINN 2014 p.633)}

• Bøe, Johanes (1940) Norse Antiquities in Ireland. Edited by Haakon Shetelig. (Available Online) Viking Antiquities in Great Britain and Ireland: Part 3
• Harrison, Stephen H. & Ó Floinn, Raghnall 2014 Viking Graves and Grave-Goods in Ireland. Dublin: Royal Irish Academy. Medieval Dublin Excavations 1962-81: Ser.B Vol.11

• France, L'Ile de Groix

Fragments of 13? shield-bosses all of them badly broken and defective. Type R562.

• Bjorn, Anathon, and Shetelig, Haakon (1940) Viking Antiquities in England. Edited by Haakon Shetelig. (Available Online) Viking Antiquities in Great Britain and Ireland: Part 4

• Sweden, Birka

(among others) Bj 581, Bj 955. Bj 958 ^{(ARBMAN 1940 Taf. 16:5 & 4)}

Dia:13.5-15.5cm H:~6.6cm

• Arwidsson, Greta (ed.) (1986) Birka II:2 Systematische Analysen der Graberfunde. [Systematic Analysis of the Graves Findings] Birka, Kungliga Vitterhets Historie och Antikvitets Akademien: II:2

  p.39-40
• Arbman, Holger (1940) Birka 1b Die Graber: Tafeln. [The Graves: Plates] Birka, Kungliga Vitterhets Historie och Antikvitets Akademien: Ib

• 
  Scotland: Ballinaby
• 
  Scotland: Westness
• 
  Ireland: Kilmainham R2362 (Wk7)
• 
  L'Ile de Groix

R563 / Type C

"Shield-boss with a low dome shaped as a section of a sphere with a very short or no neck and a flat or slanting flange."(PEDERSEN 2014A p.98) Date - From AD 940 to AD 1050+.

• Sweden, Birka

Bj 644, Bj 914, Bj 985 (Arbman 1940:Taf. 17:1 & 3)

Dia:14.2-15.5cm H:4.6-5.3cm

• Arwidsson, Greta (ed.) (1986) Birka II:2 Systematische Analysen der Graberfunde. [Systematic Analysis of the Graves Findings] Birka, Kungliga Vitterhets Historie och Antikvitets Akademien: II:2

  p.39-40
• Arbman, Holger (1940) Birka 1b Die Graber: Tafeln. [The Graves: Plates] Birka, Kungliga Vitterhets Historie och Antikvitets Akademien: Ib

R565 / Type D1, D2, D3

"Roughly conical shield-boss, with or without a pronounced knob at the centre; without a neck and with a flat or slanting flange."(PEDERSEN 2014A p.98) Date - From AD 970 to AD 1050+.

• Sweden, Birka

Bj 1035 and one without a grave number ^{(ARBMAN 1940 Taf. 17:6)}

Dia:14-15cm H:6.2-6.5cm

• Arwidsson, Greta (ed.) (1986) Birka II:2 Systematische Analysen der Graberfunde. [Systematic Analysis of the Graves Findings] Birka, Kungliga Vitterhets Historie och Antikvitets Akademien: II:2

  p.39-40
• Arbman, Holger (1940) Birka 1b Die Graber: Tafeln. [The Graves: Plates] Birka, Kungliga Vitterhets Historie och Antikvitets Akademien: Ib

Hiberno-Norse / English

Harrison has defined this type into 2 categories: ^{(HARRISON & Ó FLOINN 2014 p.116)}

Irish Sea A Type

• England, Cubria: Ormside

Dia:6¾" H:3½"

• Bjorn, Anathon, and Shetelig, Haakon (1940) Viking Antiquities in England. Edited by Haakon Shetelig. (Available Online) Viking Antiquities in Great Britain and Ireland: Part 4

  p.18
• Cowen, J.D. (1934) 'A catalogue of objects of the Viking period in the Tullie House Museum, Carlisle'. (Available Online) Cumberland and Westmorland Antiquarian and Archaeological Society: Ser.2 Vol.34
• Harrison, Stephen H. & Ó Floinn, Raghnall 2014 Viking Graves and Grave-Goods in Ireland. Dublin: Royal Irish Academy. Medieval Dublin Excavations 1962-81: Ser.B Vol.11

  p.119

• Isle of Man, : Cronk Moar

• Bersu, Gerhard and Wilson, David M. (1966) Three Viking Graves in the Isle of Man. The Society for Medieval Archaeology Monograph Servies: No 1
• Harrison, Stephen H. & Ó Floinn, Raghnall 2014 Viking Graves and Grave-Goods in Ireland. Dublin: Royal Irish Academy. Medieval Dublin Excavations 1962-81: Ser.B Vol.11

  p.119

• Scotland, Arran: Millhill, Lamlash

• Grieg, Sigurd (1940) Viking Antiquities in Scotland. Edited by Haakon Shetelig. (Available Online) Viking Antiquities in Great Britain and Ireland: Part 2

  p.27-28, fig.11
• Harrison, Stephen H. & Ó Floinn, Raghnall 2014 Viking Graves and Grave-Goods in Ireland. Dublin: Royal Irish Academy. Medieval Dublin Excavations 1962-81: Ser.B Vol.11

  p.119

• Ireland, Dublin: South Great George's Street 2003 (99E414:197:1)

• Harrison, Stephen H. & Ó Floinn, Raghnall 2014 Viking Graves and Grave-Goods in Ireland. Dublin: Royal Irish Academy. Medieval Dublin Excavations 1962-81: Ser.B Vol.11

  p.119 Ill.58, p.579

• Norway, Vestfold: Kaupang, Grave Ka.316

Only known example outside of Britain and Ireland ^{(HARRISON & Ó FLOINN 2014 p.119)}.

• Harrison, Stephen H. & Ó Floinn, Raghnall 2014 Viking Graves and Grave-Goods in Ireland. Dublin: Royal Irish Academy. Medieval Dublin Excavations 1962-81: Ser.B Vol.11

  p.119
• Skre, Dagfinn (2006) Kaupang in Skiringssal. Excavation and surveys in Kaupang and Huseby, 1998-2003

  p.124-125

Note: see [Ukjent gård] [Gravem] Vikingtid skjoldbule

• 
  England: Ormside
• 
  Isle of Man: Cronk Moar
• 
  Scotland: Millhill, Lamlash
• 
  Scotland: Millhill, Lamlash
• 
  Ireland:Dublin Great George's st.

Irish Sea B Type

There are 3 known examples:

• Isle of Man, : Balladoole

• Bersu, Gerhard and Wilson, David M. (1966) Three Viking Graves in the Isle of Man. The Society for Medieval Archaeology Monograph Servies: No 1

  p.14-18
• Harrison, Stephen H. & Ó Floinn, Raghnall 2014 Viking Graves and Grave-Goods in Ireland. Dublin: Royal Irish Academy. Medieval Dublin Excavations 1962-81: Ser.B Vol.11

  p.120

• Scotland, Colonsay: Kiloran Bay.

Dia:9cm H:11.5cm (top missing)

• Grieg, Sigurd (1940) Viking Antiquities in Scotland. Edited by Haakon Shetelig. (Available Online) Viking Antiquities in Great Britain and Ireland: Part 2

  p.50, fig.29
• Harrison, Stephen H. & Ó Floinn, Raghnall 2014 Viking Graves and Grave-Goods in Ireland. Dublin: Royal Irish Academy. Medieval Dublin Excavations 1962-81: Ser.B Vol.11

  p.120

• Ireland, Dublin: College Green 1819 (Sirr 266; Boe Wk25)

Dia:9.4/10.7*cm(c.11.5cm) H:7.0/8.4*cm

• Harrison, Stephen H. & Ó Floinn, Raghnall 2014 Viking Graves and Grave-Goods in Ireland. Dublin: Royal Irish Academy. Medieval Dublin Excavations 1962-81: Ser.B Vol.11

  p.120 Ill.59, p.517

• 
  Isle of Man: Balladoole - Boss
• 
  Isle of Man: Balladoole - Grip
• 
  Scotland: Kiloran Bay

Other related forms

• Scotland, Islay: Ballinaby

• Grieg, Sigurd (1940) Viking Antiquities in Scotland. Edited by Haakon Shetelig. (Available Online) Viking Antiquities in Great Britain and Ireland: Part 2

  p.32-33, fig.14

• 
  Scotland: Ballinaby
• 
  Scotland: Ballinaby

Irish 'Dublin Type'

• Ireland, Dublin: Kilmainham 1845

D342(W3;Wk10;Boe W10) ^{(HARRISON & Ó FLOINN 2014 p.326)}

D343(W4;Wk26;Boe Wk18) ^{(HARRISON & Ó FLOINN 2014 p.326)}

D344(W5;Wk9;Boe Wk26) ^{(HARRISON & Ó FLOINN 2014 p.326-328)}

D345(W6;Wk17;Boe Wk17) ^{(HARRISON & Ó FLOINN 2014 p.328)}

D346(W7;Wk11 & 19;Boe Wk11, 36 & 19) ^{(HARRISON & Ó FLOINN 2014 p.328)}

D347(W8;Wk16;Boe Wk16) ^{(HARRISON & Ó FLOINN 2014 p.328-330)}

D348(W9;Wk23;Boe Wk23) ^{(HARRISON & Ó FLOINN 2014 p.330)}

• Ireland, Dublin: Kilmainham 1845pb

1881:364(Wk24;Boe Wk24) ^{(HARRISON & Ó FLOINN 2014 p.385)}

1881:365(Wk5;Boe Wk5) ^{(HARRISON & Ó FLOINN 2014 p.385)}

• Ireland, Dublin: Kilmainham 1848

W43(Wk15;Boe Wk15) ^{(HARRISON & Ó FLOINN 2014 p.391)}

• Ireland, Dublin: Kilmainham 1861

R428(Wk1;Boe Wk1) ^{(HARRISON & Ó FLOINN 2014 p.408)}

• Ireland, Dublin: Kilmainham (Wakeman)

Wk6 (Boe Wk6) ^{(HARRISON & Ó FLOINN 2014 p.414)}

Wk8 (Boe Wk8) ^{(HARRISON & Ó FLOINN 2014 p.414)}

Wk6 (Boe Wk21) ^{(HARRISON & Ó FLOINN 2014 p.417)}

• Bøe, Johanes (1940) Norse Antiquities in Ireland. Edited by Haakon Shetelig. (Available Online) Viking Antiquities in Great Britain and Ireland: Part 3
• Harrison, Stephen H. & Ó Floinn, Raghnall 2014 Viking Graves and Grave-Goods in Ireland. Dublin: Royal Irish Academy. Medieval Dublin Excavations 1962-81: Ser.B Vol.11

• Ireland, Dublin: Islandbridge 1866A

R2363(Wk13;Boe Wk13) ^{(HARRISON & Ó FLOINN 2014 p.434)}

R2364(Wk12;Boe Wk12) ^{(HARRISON & Ó FLOINN 2014 p.434)}

• Ireland, Islandbridge 1866B

R2361(Wk18; W8;Boe Wk18) ^{(HARRISON & Ó FLOINN 2014 p.446)}

• Ireland, Dublin: Bride Street 1861

R434B(Wk14; W8;Boe Wk14) ^{(HARRISON & Ó FLOINN 2014 p.510)}

• Ireland, Co. Waterford: Woodstown 2004

02E441:2256:1 ^{(HARRISON & Ó FLOINN 2014 p.666)}

• Ireland, : Unprovenanced

Sirr 184 (W44;Wk22;Boe Wk22) ^{(HARRISON & Ó FLOINN 2014 p.669)}

• Ireland, : Lagore

Dawson 623(W42;Wk4;Boe WK4 R2263) ^{(HARRISON & Ó FLOINN 2014 p.737)}

• 
  Ireland: Kilmainham D345 (Wk17)
• 
  Ireland: Kilmainham Sirr 184 (Wk22)
• 
  Ireland: Lagore Dawson623 (Wk4)

Carolingian

• 
  L'lle de Groix

Decorative bosses

Gold leaf

A metal shield boss that has been covered in gold leaf.

Painted Bosses

A metal shield boss that has been covered in paint.

To the best of my knowledge no shield boss has been found with traces of paint still adhering to it. Also the painting of bosses seems unlikely as period paints do not have the necessary adhesive properties.

References

Arwidsson, Greta (ed.) (1989) Birka II:3 Systematische Analysen der Graberfunde. [Systematic Analysis of the Graves Findings] Birka, Kungliga Vitterhets Historie och Antikvitets Akademien: II:3

 ^{(ARWIDSSON 1989)}

Beatson, Peter (n.d.) The Viking Shield from Archeology. [Accessed: 2010]. (Available Online) Peter Beatson

 ^{(BEATSON (N.D.) A)}

Bersu, Gerhard and Wilson, David M. (1966) Three Viking Graves in the Isle of Man. The Society for Medieval Archaeology Monograph Servies: No 1

 ^{(BERSU & WILSON 1966)}

Boast, Emma (2012) The Viking Shield in the British Isles: changes in use from the 8th-11th Century in England and the Isle of Man. Unpublished MA. (available online)

 ^{(BOAST 2012)}

Härke, Heinrich (1992) In

Dickinson, Tania and Härke, Heinrich (1992) Early Anglo-Saxon Shields.

 ^{(HARKE 1992)}

Harrison, Stephen H. & Ó Floinn, Raghnall 2014 Viking Graves and Grave-Goods in Ireland. Dublin: Royal Irish Academy. Medieval Dublin Excavations 1962-81: Ser.B Vol.11

 ^{(HARRISON & Ó FLOINN 2014)}

Hjardar, Kim & Vike, Vegard (2016) Vikings at War.

 ^{(HJARDAR & VIKE 2016)}

Pedersen, Anne (2014) Dead Warriors in Living Memory. A study of weapon and equestrian burials in Viking-age Denmark, AD 800-1000. Publications from the National Museum. Studies in Archaeology & History Vol. 20:1 1 Jelling Series..

 ^{(PEDERSEN 2014A)}

Pollington, Stephen (2006) The English Warrior from the Earliest Times Till 1066. Anglo-Saxon Books

 ^{(POLLINGTON 2006)}

Rygh, O. (1885) Norske Oldsager. [Norwegian Antiquities]. Christiana.

 ^{(RYGH 1885)}

Skodell, Henry (2008) Schutzausrüstung zur zeit der Schlacht von Hastings [Protective Equipment Present at the Battle of Hastings]. (Available Online) [Accessed: 2011].

 ^{(SKODELL 2008)}

Stephenson, I. P. (2007) The Late Anglo-Saxon Army. Tempus.

 ^{(STEPHENSON 2007)}