Medieval Metal Shield History A Shield Is A Piece Of Personal Armor Held In The Hand Or Mounted On The Wrist Or Forearm. Shields Are Used To Intercept Specific Attacks, Whether From Close-Ranged Weaponry Or Projectiles Such As Arrows, By Means Of Active Blocks, As Well As To Provide Passive Protection By Closing One Or More Lines Of Engagement During Combat. Shields Vary Greatly In Size And Shape, Ranging From Large Panels That Protect The User's Whole Body To Small Models (Such As The Buckler) That Were Intended For Hand-To-Hand-Combat Use. Shields Also Vary A Great Deal In Thickness; Whereas Some Shields Were Made Of Relatively Deep, Absorbent, Wooden Planking To Protect Soldiers From The Impact Of Spears And Crossbow Bolts, Others Were Thinner And Lighter And Designed Mainly For Deflecting Blade Strikes. Finally, Shields Vary Greatly In Shape, Ranging In Roundness To Angularity, Proportional Length And Width, Symmetry And Edge Pattern; Different Shapes Provide More Optimal Protection For Infantry Or Cavalry, Enhance Portability, Provide Secondary Uses Such As Ship Protection Or As A Weapon And So On.