SA0709 Viking / Norman kite shield (Bayeux tapestry)

Viking / Norman kite shield (Bayeux
tapestry)

• When William the Conqueror sailed across the Channel
  in 1066 he took 3000 horses on 700 small sailing boats
  with him and headed from the Normandy across the
  channel to England.in the following battle William’s
  army was victorious due largely to his cavalry assisted
  by archers.
  They charged into the wall of shields put up by the
  Saxon infantry and were victorious.On the wellknown
  Bayeux tapestry one can see how the Norman cavalry
  (shields on the left side) clash with the English infantry
  in bitter conflict.the cavalry shields were held with 2
  strong leather straps (one hung over the shoulder and
  the other over the left arm).The cavalry kite shield
  replica is made from wood and weighs 3 kgs.(6 1/2
  lbs.):It is 133 cms. (52.3″) high and 56 cms.(22″) wide.