Viking Objects
Shield Boss (1989-59/9013)
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.
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Viking Objects
Gilded Mount (1989-59/7591)
A gilded copper-alloy mount with approximately eight projecting pierced lugs. The mount was found in three pieces and is incomplete. It may originally have been domed, but most of the dome is missing. It has been suggested that it was a shield boss.
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Viking Objects
Reproduction Shield
A reproduction shield based on examples from Gokstad and Trelleborg. The face is covered with linen, based on traces of linen found on the reverse of a shield boss at Cumwhitton, Cumbria. The rim was covered in wet, stretched rawhide which was allowed to shrink and dry in place. The iron, carinated boss is a type that is common on Viking Age sites in England and Scandinavia