Late Republican Re-Enactment groups + handspun fibre query

[Crispvs]

"I don't think this would work as well as you think."

Actually, it can work extremely well. I have used the technique on a number of occasions. It is true that the top of a horizontally held shield will swing forward, just as it is true that a verically held shield will swing sideways. However, whatever concussive effects this swinging action produces can easily be countered by your own shield. To be hit on the head by the top of the shield, the "bratty kid" must have been very short and can't have been carrying a shield himself.

"when there is continual pressure with shields together"

Don't lose sight of the fact that the primary purpose of a shield is defence, rather than shoving, although it can of course be used for this too. To be most effective as a defence, a shield must be able to be moved fairly freely, not something which can easily be achieved whilst pressing your shield against someone else's. If you charge into combat a collision is likely, which would involve a momentary or sometimes longer shoving action. However, if you advance into combat in a disciplined manner you do not necessarily get such a shoving effect. Don't get me wrong about shoving - I am fairly convinced that in hand to hand combat the legionary put his shoulder to his shield and stabbed with his sword (as shown on one of the Mainz column bases) if he needed to drive the enemy back. It cannot always have been like this however and lines must often have faced off against each other and ground each other down until one could gain some clear advantage. In this situation any technique which can give a momentary advantage over the warriors standing a few feet in front of you is potentially useful.

Crispvs