13th Century Crusader Shield – Deepeeka

This heater shield is built from poplar wood and wrapped in tightly fitted linen, then finished with a hand-painted cross over a colored field. The linen layer helps bind the wood and gives the surface a smooth, even base for the paintwork.

It measures 45 1/2'' x 25'' and weighs 7 lbs 2 oz. That size and weight suit a shield meant to cover the body for reenactment or display rather than a small buckler-style piece.

The back has a leather palm grip along with a forearm strap and a shoulder strap, both adjustable with steel buckles. A padded leather pad sits behind the arm area to cushion against impacts on the face of the shield.

The face is painted a solid yellow/gold with a red cross running vertically and horizontally across the center, its ends flared in a fleur-de-lis style typical of Crusader-era heraldry. The paint has a smooth hand-finished look with visible brush texture.

With its curved, body-contoured heater shape, adjustable arm and shoulder straps, and a padded arm cushion, this shield is set up to be worn and carried, making it well suited to reenactment, living history, or costume display rather than sitting flat on a wall mount. It can just as easily be displayed upright or hung for its painted artwork alone.

Keep the shield in a dry area out of direct humidity, since damp conditions can affect both the poplar wood core and the linen covering. Wipe the painted surface clean rather than scrubbing it, and check the leather straps and buckles periodically, applying a light leather conditioner to keep the straps supple.

The forearm and shoulder straps are adjustable through steel buckles, so you can tighten or loosen them as needed to fit your arm or as the leather breaks in over time. The palm grip is fixed in the center of the leather backing patch on the interior.