I wish they would show this in Last Kingdom instead of the shield fortress they always do. The fortress is cinematic but not very practical to fight in.
That shield burg (forgive me if I said it wrong, the guy who said the name in English was quiet and captions don't help) is way cooler if you have like 50 people doing it at least
The Anglo Saxon also fought in the same manner. But the Late Roman Army fought in open order.... why? Because their back lines has javelins and plumbata darts to hammer the back row of fighters in a shield wall.
I feel almost certain that the shoulder level thrusting stance will result in weaker strikes with a spear, and would also be useless for close fighting.
+Jan Lykourgos Books I've been reading had spears behind the main line poking out from underneath legs and into opposing shield walls or over top to draw shields up to cover faces.
+Mithiras Under legs? That could easily affect movement, no? Poking out could be helpful, but being able to actually thrust the spear would, I'd think, help more. And you don't get a very potent thrust if your spear is just hanging there or resting on allly's shields or some such. At least, that's what I think.
Calgary, Alberta. There's another re-enactment event going the weekend of August 20-21, 2022 at the Military Museum in Calgary. Viikngs, knights, French - Indian Wars, US Civil War, Victorian period, then WW 1 and WW 2. Might even be some "Nam stuff.
I am curious as to your rational for overlapping the shields with the man on your left behind rather than in front of your shield. I know very little about Viking warfare, but this is a question that comes up all the time with Hoplite reconstructions. I know why I would do it your way, but I am curious why you do.
It's to better protect your shield mate. A weapon has to pen 2 layers of wood plus your mail in order to hurt you. If you want a great look at this period of history, read the Last Kingdom series.
In my experience overlapping behind the shield to my right allows their elbow and my hand to support both shields, also it is very hard to open. Overlapping the other way leaves my shield by itself and can be pushed from the left of the boss.
they should have 3 lines and first line crouches protecting their legs. Second line overlap the first protecting the middle. last line over their heads. making a literal wall.
If you see a shield from the front, the right side is the strong side because the arm is behind it. if you were to thrust a spear a the left side the shield would rotate and allow the spear through. What they are doing now is showing pretty much only the right sides of shields. all the left sides of the shields are overlapped by the right side of the shield next to it. This way no shield in the wall will rotate/pivot/ fold to allow a spear through :)
Adam Frisk I don't believe so. Everyone would in all probability use whatever was the correct size for them - based on their own size, their personal preference, the fighting style they learn.
