Enarmes
Enarmes, the straps of a kite shield.
By Stephen Francis Wyley
Numerous articles in the past have listed the various outer design features of shields from the Medieval period. Beatson’s article on Viking shield construct based on extant remains was very illuminating. As far as I know so far there has no in depth research into the straps or the “enarmes” by which a kite shield was held (in most cases a round shield was held by a handle across the central boss).
This article will deal with the ms depictions of enarmes, how they are configured and used. So many of the period depictions of combatants holding shields only show the outer face which clearly masks the enarmes. In looking at these depictions we must be careful in not accepting them on their faces value because of; the effect of the material on the depiction itself, the artistic licence taken by the originator of the piece under study and the original functionality of the item depicted.
Topics to be covered:
Comparison of the different way of setting up the enarmes and using them;
Types of patterns vs. the shape of the shield;
Development over time;
Geographical comparison;
Schematic diagrams of shield shapes and strap configuration;
Analysis of Rivet on shield faces to determine enarmes configuration;
Note: There seems to be a lot of depictions of David and Goliath showing the enarmes.
Bayeux tapestry. And here they crossed the River Couesnon.
Bayeux tapestry. Here Duke Harold dragged them out of the sand.
Bayeux tapestry. And they came to Dol.
Bayeux tapestry. And they came to Dol.
Bayeux tapestry. Here William came to Bayeux.
Bayeux tapestry. Asked whether he has seen Harold’s army, Vital points the way.
Bayeux tapestry. Here the French fight.
‘David and Goliath’ from the St.Etienne Bible for Cîteaux. French, c. 1109. (MS. 14, Bibliothèque Municipale, Dijon).
‘David and Goliath’ in a carved relief, southern French, c.1145, from the Church of St. Gilles at St. Gilles du Gard.
From the Maciejowski Bible, French, c.1250 (M. 638, f.23v, The Pierpont Morgan Library, New York).
‘Camilla and Turnus besiege Montalbanus’ from the Eneide of Heinrich von Veldeke manuscript, German, late 12th or early 13th centuries. (MS. germ. fol. 282, f.46v, Staatsbibliothek zu Berlin.
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