Parade shield

The shield is one of the oldest types of personal armour and it has also been one element of armament which has undergone the most changes in shape. These changes have been linked to the development of assault weapons and warfare tactics. Both infantry and cavalry used shields. Light cavalry did not use shields since it would disable their easy management of a horse, but a shield was indispensable for infantrymen. It was carried on the left arm or over the left shoulder and tightened to a strap so as to deflect enemy strikes.