Museum Explorer
Warfare in Europe
Shield
From: Flanders or Burgundy
Date: late 15th century AD
This shield would not have been used in battle as it is not strong enough to stop a weapon. It was probably used in parades and may have been a prize won by a brave knight.
The picture on the shield is of a knight kneeling before a lady, with a skeleton representing death behind the knight. The meaning of the picture is that the knight would be prepared to die in the attempt to win the love of his lady.
