The round shield we offer here is made of approx. 13 mm thick plywood and adorned with an elaborate serpent motif and three runes from the Anglo-Saxon runic alphabet known asfuthorc.

Although the runes are from Anglo-Saxon origin, the serpent motif may be interpreted as a depiction of the NorseMidgard Serpent(also calledJrmungandrorWorld Serpent), a central figure in Germanic mythology – which makes the shield suitable as a Viking shield. Together with Hel and the wolf Fenrir, the Serpent is one of the world's three tormentors. All three are the children of the malicious god Loki and the giantess Angrboda. Jormungand lives in the depths of the great sea that surrounds Midgard. His body is so exceptionally large that he encircles the entire earth and grasps the end of his tail in his maw. When he awakens and thrashes the ocean, great floods devastate the world of the mortals. At the same time, the serpent biting his own tail is a pregnant symbol of the unity and eternal recurrence of all things. By the third encounter between Thor and Jrmungand at theRagnark, Thor succeeds in striking the Midgard Serpent dead with his hammer Mjlnir.

In its centre, the shield features a generously sized steel boss that is tightly held in place with four rivets, and leaves enough space to accommodate even stout Viking hands. The shield’s edge is reinforced with metal, and the back is fitted with a handle made of solid wood.

Although this early medieval wooden shield may be slightly too light and thin for full contact, it is still a great accessory for re-enactment, LARP, stage or TV/film and will make your transformation into a proud Anglo-Saxon or Viking warrior just perfect. Besides, it also makes for a nice collectible or display piece.