A shield boss from Repton, Derbyshire. (c) Derby Museum and Art Gallery
A shield boss from Repton, Derbyshire. (c) Derby Museum and Art Gallery

A shield boss from Repton, Derbyshire. (c) Derby Museum and Art Gallery A shield boss from Repton, Derbyshire. (c) Derby Museum and Art Gallery

Shield Boss (1989-59/9013)

A shield boss from Repton, Derbyshire

This is a probable Viking shield boss from Repton, Derbyshire. This shield boss is possible evidence for the Viking Great Army’s overwintering at Repton in 873. The typical construction of a ‘Viking’ shield at the time involved several wooden planks glued together and cut into a circle. The face of the shield was then covered in linen or rawhide with rawhide edging that was either tacked or sewn on. Finally, a metal boss would be attached along with the handle over a hole in the centre. The purpose of the metal boss was to protect the user’s hand in combat.

Date

circa 850 — 950

Ascribed Culture

Original/Reproduction

Original

Material

Collection

Viking Objects

Current Location

Derby Museum and Art Gallery

Keywords

Derby_Museums, Derbyshire, iron, Repton, shield, shield boss, Viking, warfare

Further information

You can see the original at Derby Museum and Art Gallery.

This object is related to Repton, Derbyshire.
Find out about Repton, Derbyshire.

Acknowledgements

(c) Derby Museum and Art Gallery

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