11-26-2008, 11:36 PM
Quote:As far as I know, all Medieval shields are double "grip" unless bucklers. I lack any meaningful experience fighting with a center-grip shield. I always assumed that they were inferior--but I guess I better try it before I become dismissive!
From what I have heard you'll be pleasantly suprised when you try one. The "medieval" period is a long one, and early on most shields are single-grip bossed shields. Cavalry shields become double-grip as the period progresses, even dismounted knights used these shields, and I assume this is what you have experience with. Many infantry kept the single-grip shields, with the glaring exception of pavisemen and other large shield types which are sometimes even triple-grip (elbow, forearm, and fist) and surely not adapted for mano a mano.
I agree that the aspis was probably quite light for its size.
Paul M. Bardunias
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A Spartan, being asked a question, answered "No." And when the questioner said, "You lie," the Spartan said, "You see, then, that it is stupid of you to ask questions to which you already know the answer!"
MODERATOR: [url:2dqwu8yc]http://www.romanarmytalk.com/rat/viewtopic.php?t=4100[/url]
A Spartan, being asked a question, answered "No." And when the questioner said, "You lie," the Spartan said, "You see, then, that it is stupid of you to ask questions to which you already know the answer!"
