Adventurer's Arsenal: The Scottish Targe
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- Опубликовано: 26 янв 2024
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I’ve been investing myself into a Highlander kit for a while and to be frank, the dudes kind of nailed it in adventuring gear. Basket hilt swords to protect your sword arm, targes are small and reliable shields that work well in guerrilla style fighting, and the great kilt itself is the perfect tool since it’s a mix of a cloak, blanket, camouflage, and can be styled in certain ways to give yourself extra pockets. Plus the extra breeze helps when you get hot
And it comes with a big knife that you can hold in your shield hand! It can even come with guns!
Basket hilt broadsword and targe is a really good combo. If you hold your dirk with the targe its great, if you go further and put the spike on front its crazy now
Fandabi Dozi had alot of good videos about that.
Dealing with rough weather, rough terrain and rough enemys is really adventure-style! No wonder it works quite well!
@@marcusfridh8489that man is a pioneer in the adventurer RUclips space. He actually lives it, as much as a normal person can
You know, if you look at a lot of RPG descriptions of "bucklers" (I know Patherfinder in particular is guilty) they're not actually describing Bucklers, they're describing a Highland Targe. smaller, hands-free, strapped to the forearm. So, the rulebooks agree, even if they don't know it.
Pathfinder took that from D&D 3.5
I just checked one of my old AD&D books (the "Arms and Equipment Guide"), and under the listing for the Buckler there's in parenthesis "sometimes called a target shield", so they clearly had the targe on the mind. The mix-up was most likely a misunderstanding of what "buckler" meant. "There's a shield called the 'buckler', it must be referring to _this_ shield since it has this strap that buckles to your arm."
(If I recall correctly, the English "buckler" actually comes from the French bouclier, which simply means 'shield')
I was thinking of the shield of Alexsander the greats pikemen, when I was readind it 🤷♂
@@arcticbanana66 I always thought the origin of the word to be different. In German, the round metal bit in the center of a viking shield (where the grip for the hand is located) is called a "Buckel", which means "hump" or "hunchback" (very clearly because it's a round thing that protrudes from the otherwise flat shield). Now, a "buckler" is a shield that basically only consists of this "Buckel", without the wood around it.
Though that's conjecture on my part, idk if the etymology actually comes from there or the other way around
@@Tacklepig The French bouclier is apparently from the Old French boucle or bocle, which is the boss. I won't be surprised if we go even further back and find buckel and boucle have the same origin.
On top of all their other advantages, targes are also quite weather resistant, Scotland being notoriously rainy and wet.
Perfect for going on an adventure. Don't want to worry too much about rust or glue coming undone
If i was an rpg adventurer id have a strapped shield with a boss so i can wear it like a hat when its raining
nah, just need a good wide brimmed kettle helm for that. Shield and hat all in one!
I hope your neck is super strong or you're going to regret that in short order. I agree on the Kettle helm, but, you'd better stuff the seams with oakum or something otherwise it will leak. LOL If its a cold rain, that will become very uncomfortable very quickly too. Really all armor is a confounded nuisance till you need it.
Ahhh. All this time I thought people were calling me dumb with no unkind colloquialism… turns out they were referring to me as a Scottish shield. I feel much better.
Laddie, I'd consider being called a targe a compliment LOL
This adventurer's arsenal series is amazing. It gives me the same vibes as Shad's old fantasy rearmed stuff. Keep it up.
Also, future kit options to consider. The scottish great kilt. Clogs, geta, and other wooden shoes from around the world. What kind of kits an adventurer might carry. Such as woodcarving, leatherworking, metallurgy, first aid, cooking, etc, and which you would most likely prioritize over others. Lamps vs candles. And the common needle and thread.
If I went on larp adventures, I'd be Ranger character and I would use a targ just like yours, big enough to protect my fist when I slug and also big enough to protect my elbow if I elbow someone in the face, yet small enough to strap to my side when I use my short bow.
This is exactly my (larp) rangers loadout, a short horse bow, a center-gripped round shield with 24" diameter and a sword (28" blade) and sax as melee-weapons. While using the bow, my shield hangs down my hip on a strap, long enuogh to grab and us it. See you on the next adventure, bro!
Yeah of course we would like destructive testing. I think you can get a cheap machete and a metal spike thing as a spear substitute if you are afraid of damaging your good swords. Just test that the "weapon substitutes" are good choppers and good spears and it's fine
You can also quickly convert a claw hammer into a war hammer, as that's more or less the right size/shape/weight
@@marcogenovesi8570 Yep, a good sized ball pein would work too. Plus you could grind the ball part into a spike.
Your shield is well made but it should be a little bit bigger, it should be about one inch or so past your elbow when you are wearing it, that way when you are using it, your opponents don't go "WOW! I Can just hit the shield a few times and then I can strike him in the elbow and then finish him off while he reacts to the pain of having his elbow struck." Most people who make their own shields make this mistake, I did too, and when it rains I remember that.
Doing cut tests on your shield would be cool to watch!
Kramer, I have a topic suggestion: pack animals for adventurers. Most people think of mules or horses, but, I saw a short about a guy who packs into the back country using goats. Not kidding. Bonus thing is, goats give goat milk which is a complete food. So your pack goat is producing a net plus on the calorie side as they can subsist on just about anything.
Yeah I agree, this and small spiked shield are probably best options for an adventurer.
I like the flexibility of a multi-strap heater shield. You can use them strapped in various directions, including a way that lets you use your offhand for two handing a sword or polearm. And you can also hold them in a centre grip style to use them like a buckler or any boss grip shield.
A few years ago, I saw an " apartment shield"...a modern small shield designed to offer some protection in the event of a home invasion, used in conjunction with a six D cell Maglite...more or less to give you a chance to get away. I guess the shield will always have a place...
My main issue with the targe is the fact that it is strapped. Though it helps with stability and fatigue, I've really come to enjoy the flexibily of a center gripped shield. I do like the size of the targe though, and often opt for a large buckler/small viking shield if I'm possibly going against arrows. If not I just prefer a buckler.
I also prefer a center grip to straps
I like these Adventurer's Arsenal videos.
I think it could be interesting to see how useful/practical it would be for an adventurer to carry around a spear (or any polearm, really) or a crossbow while out adventuring. Covering stuff like how you'd carry equipment like a spear or a crossbow outside of a combat situation and whatnot.
I still think a sling would serve an adventurer more for an at hand ranged weapon. Low maintenance, same stopping power, free ammunition if you are hunting, easy to store, easy to build a new one in the field. Save the crossbows and bows for battle when you have time to dig them out and drop your packs.
I think a spear would actually be pretty practical, since it can be used as a walking stick when out of combat. Look into how roman legionnaires walked with their spears for comparison
Based on experience, a spear starts to get really awkward to sling over your back if it's longer than you are tall. Maybe horizontally? But then you'd have it sticking out a lot. Also theres other things you might want to carry on your back. A backpack, shield, or a bow, for instance. Everything you carry on your back is competing for space and potentially interfere with each other. So you need to plan out how you're going to carry it all.
In a practical sense, you can carry either a ranged weapon or a polearm. A bow/ crossbow and polearm just takes too much space on the body and it's hard to sling one abs use the other. Something like a sling anyone can carry, but you'll have to chuck your polearm on the ground.
In the most practical sense your adventuring loadout should be: dagger, sidearm, and either a polearm or ranged weapon. I think that's where most diversity of arms would come from, do you prioritize range, or having a better melee weapon
@@The_PotionSeller the biggest thing is, an adventurer needs to source their own food. A ranged weapon of some kind is crucial to basic survival, either to knock fruit from trees, or to hunt small game. Something like a sling is compact, light, ammo is free, and if you are hunting, you probably left your pole-arm at camp already so as not to impede your stealth/carrying game back. Sling becomes your ranged weapon as a melee focused fighter, only brought out in a siege, a planned ranged attack, or for hunting when you only have your knife on you anyways.
In Italy there was a shield similar to the target, but made of metal, called rotella, and even in India, if I correctly remember, there was a similar shield.
I've made one. They're a lot of fun to make and play with. Nice shields
An adventurer would spend most of their time essentially camping. So, most of the gear they would take would have to be useful in that metric. So, most things would have to serve double duty as something else. Something that would be useful camping, most of the time in the woods or in the fields or next to a stream, Lake, river, ocean or something.
I remember a scene in the movie. The 13th Warrior, where the Vikings are in the Middle East and they take their shields and use them as giant bowls full of water to basically clean themselves.
I remember a fantasy book series I read. Can't remember the name of it, though. In the series, the adventurers shield also doubled as a bowl. But it was metal with a leather cover that had a buckle around the inside edge that he could tighten to keep the leather on the outside secure when he wasn't using it to cook with. Because he used it as a giant shallow cook pot when he set up his camp. His shield even came with a set of tongues that he could stick under the handle that was on one side and use the tongues as a handle for a giant oversized shallow wok while cooking over a campfire.
I remember reading that in the story. It completely blew my mind. Later in the story. I learned that it was actually something sold in most adventuring guild halls as standard equipment.
This ⬆.
Good boots.
Something to keep you warm/dry.
Something to make fire.
Something to carry food/water/kit.
THEN you can think about hunting ogres!
Maybe, but, if you have a kettle helm and close the seams with solder or what have you you can use it as a bucket. A buckler (which is a solid piece of metal kind of like a WWI British helmet only with a center grip) could be used too.
@@andyleighton6969 a LOT of extra socks or equivalent. Though I think adventurers would have to resign themselves to not sleeping well or being warm and dry while on the hunt, Very much like modern soldiers they're going to have to catnap in their full kit because if you're raided by hobgoblins in the night you're going to have to spring up and be ready to fight or run. So probably no blankets, you'll just have to have warm clothing and wrap up in your cloak. In full armor.
Or at least have your gambeson on. (which should be standard equipment) You might have some kind of waxed shoulder covering or a hide to shed some water, but, no tent. If its raining heavily nobody will sleep. Unless you have pack animals to carry extra gear with. Which introduces its own issues.
Though this does bring up why axes should be generally equipped. I have a cold steel viking hawk and with a slightly longer handle it would be perfect. Heavy enough to chop firewood and build shelters and light enough to fight with. Swords and spears are great for fighting but don't do much in camp. So I think the dwarves have the right of it. Axes and hammers are far more generally useful in a utility sense than swords and spears are. Because you can bust small diameter wood up pretty good with a hammer.
I built a rather large round shield. It's 40" across, made of a 1/2" layer of white oak laminated in linen and hoof glue and pressed to a 1/2" layer of hickory with a steel ring fastened to the edge. It probably weighs about 40 pounds, so it's totally impractical to carry around but it will stop arrows and spears, even small catapult stones and the steel edge will snap a sword. I consider it a siege shield, short term, heavy, very effective and large enough to cover maybe 3 people. My next addition is going to be multiple handles and straps for other people to help bolster it and push forward. Then maybe a couple of arrow slits. It's a thing to behold.
I agree on the targe. Also, remember, if we're talking fantasy you have to deal with monsters. Monsters that may be stronger than you are. So having a shield that doesn't break when say a Minotaur dings it with a great axe could be rather useful. On the grip thing, I'm reminded of Alexander the Great's pikemen. They wore a shield on the arm that was further supported by a strap around the shoulder. Think of it like a three point sling. You can put pressure on the shoulder strap and stiffen your shield arm against heavier blows while still handling a polearm. So having a narrow grip or a large hoop grip gives you more options. Possibly including using a bow while the shield is on the arm.
A curious thought: An adventurer would use the shield that fits their preferences. A larger person will carry a larger shield, even though it covers the same percentage of the body as a smaller person with a smaller shield. A full blown tower shield or pavise may be way too big to carry around for an adventurer, especially because you won't really have the numbers for a shield wall or phalanx.
It's really going to depend on personal preference and fighting style. Until an adventurer is in a position to always be wearing full plate then a shield is a solid idea.
It would be completely fine having an adventurer reduce the size of their shield because it gets in the way too much (dark and tight passageways.)
One nice thing about a Buckler that might work well with a targ is that you can join it with a staff or walking stick to get basically full body protection with your off hand. Plus if you lose your main weapon you can switch to using the staff as a two handed weapon with the shield protecting the lead hand. I tested this with a pot lid and a Ratan stave and it performed almost as well as a full sized shield
As beautiful as that shield is, I'd certainly be interested in seeing how well it holds up against a sword.
...And, if possible, I'd be just as curious to know how it takes an arrow.
100% agree. Let's see things like a broadsword, arrow, bolt, mace, dagger, whatever's in his arsenal!
Targes were designed to take musket fire. That's why they are comparatively heavy for their size.
@@jjkrayenhagen Fandabi Dozi has a video where they shoot targes with a musket.
@@danieltaylor5231you beat me for mention fandabi dozi. Definitely a great channel
this isnt really and option i dont think but id honestly Love to see how some older muskets would do against some stronger shields lol but yeah a bow would be cool to see
as an adventurer in dangerous teritory with no fulplate armor, I'd go with the Shield of Arnold von brienz (1225). With the fitting reconstruction I did, you could basically wear it as a backpack and have a shoulders strap additionally, when you allready wear something else ony your back. That would be a good protection from surprise attacks from behind or you also could use a spear with two hands while keeping the shield in front of yourself. You can also move it from above your head to your toe. Which I see as the main problem with your Target, caus with that size you wouldn't be able to guard your shins. As an enemy, Id just rush them.
As someone who is fighting in Full contact I really like the striking shield and got a lot of expirience with it. But you need quite a heavy armor for beeing able to use your shield that offensive instead of protective.
Interesting video though, your general thoughts are interesting. Mayby I am gonna make a response.
It's a nice midpoint between a civilian shield and a war shield, and yes I realize that since it was regularly taken into battle is is by definition a war shield.
Tbh i think their high portability vs protection ratio is what made the buckler & targe so popular in those periods to begin with.
The scutum (roman shield) is a very underrated adventuring shield because it can be used as an effective improvised shelter (Scholagladiatoria made a quick 3min video explaininf this), only needing something else to cover the lower legs. We also know that its portable since legionaries marched everywhere with them.
SHIELDS UP! I like the wonder accessory that is the shield so it's always neat for me to see this kind of videos.
A dirk or rondel style dagger in an 'icepick' grip would be a good tool for getting into places like neck gaps, eyeholes, or other gaps if you got into an up close tussle. Which I think would be a benefit over a buckler for a lot of adventurers.
I may be misremembering but I think I remember a stained glass window of knights with bucklers hanging on their belts while holding larger shields. I can't remember if it was the Cathedral in Coventry or at Canterbury. This was way back in the early 80's. I think 1981, so my memory isn't the greatest. I do remember my dad thinking it was unusual.
Yay timing!
The big advantage of shields over body armor is that, while they can also be used to block melee weapons, they are excellent for blocking arrows. Not because they necessarily stop the arrows from penetrating but because they can be held away from the body so the arrows can't reach your body. With that in mind a center grip shield might have the edge over a strapped shield as you don't have to lay your arm next to the shield.
My guess is that a two strap shield is thicker, thus heavier than a center grip shield, providing more protection from darts, points, and blades
You know, as someone who needs everything to be multipurpose, I'd have one of these as a shield, but explicitly design it to work as a table AND have a Pai Sho board design on the outside.
You could probably make a buckler that doubles as a cooking pot or some other useful camp kit
So quick thing about using the targe with a dagger in the same hand; it's actually less of an offensive thing so much as it is a defensive thing. The big problem with using a small round shield is turning aside thrusts especially from things like spears or bayonets which is what it was predominately used against in the time period. The dagger acts as an extension or protrusion to push aside or hook thrusts to pull them out of the way. Try it you'll be surprised how well it works. Have a partner thrust under the shield at your gut and sweep the point of their attack away with the inside hook of the knife and shield in a circular motion followed, single temp of course, with a counter attack from your main hand. Especially against a musket and bayonet which is heavy and slower on the reset than a typical spear you're pulling aces.
Addendum I forgot to mention regarding pushing your hand through the strap. You can depending on the make of the shield hold your bow in the shield hand with a shield this size you can see this in artwork for a variety of cultures and I think even goblin slayer does it a time or two when he uses his bow. Yes it is heavy but your not holding your arm out for a very long time to take shots and it gives you the ability to drop the bow and have your shield ready with only the time it takes to draw your sword to be ready for melee. Especially good in quick skirmishes where you are likely to only get off a few shots before the enemy close.
Hmm... This is good information, thanks!
I think for a fantasy adventurer it comes down to space limitations and prioritization. Everybody can carry a dagger and sidearm on a belt, but then you get to things like bow/crossbows, polearms, and large shields. Basically something that you'd have to sling on your back or carry in your hand all the time. You'd realistically have to pick one.
It might make sense to prioritize a ranged weapon, or in other cases something like a scutum shield might be a better option for your adventure. It seems like the targe is about as large as you can go and still wear it on the belt with a sidearm, freeing up your back for something like a bow or spear
The best adventure shield might be a thin long rectangle shield. By thin I mean not that wide. Point the shield at the attacker to keep them at bay. If arrows are raining down on you, you can crouch down in side profile to the arrow(s) to protect the whole body and head. Can confront spearmen in side profile as well to offer protection from the spear. Rounded at the top and pointed at the bottom sort of like a kite shield might also help to make it more versatile.
Look into the Pictish Shields, which is probably the precursor to the targe. They are roughly the same size but most are shaped like an H or a square and are center grips like a 'Viking' shield
Buckler actually covers more of the body than a highland targe due to angulation. Since it is held out extended, getting around it is difficult. Targe is great too though. Since it was used with a basket hilt, it wasn't necessary to use the shield to cover the weapon hand. Both are really cool though. I have only played around with a targe, but I have extensive experience in Sword and Buckler. I just did fairly well in a HEMA tournament in S&B, getting into finals, and placing 9th out of 44 overall.
Excellent point about the angulation, thank you
Mike Loades did something on bucklers, and it was the first time I saw the application of a small shield being held away from the body to limit the angles your opponent has.
Also, Fandabi Dozi recently used muskets and pistols on three different targes to see how well they held up to the damage.
In my limited experience with sparing and costume crafting, I have found that I like armor on my shield arm, rather than a shield. (Looks awesome too.) Though, I also have more than enough time to strap the armor in place before sparing, where as a shield can be quickly grabbed much faster. I do like the ability, for both the armored arm and the targe, to be used with additional weapons.
The smaller shield makes sense for adventurers focused on travel and adaptability. But for dedicated dungeon adventurers, the pavise or scutum could make a lot of sense. Because a small party can make an effective shield wall in a narrow tunnel or doorway.
Absolutely agree! My party had a lot of adventures in different dungeons, and with two shields (even smaller ones are useful, and are better to transport in very narrow passages) you can block a corridor against pursuing enemys. If you also have a wizard with stormblow and fireball spells with you, the dungeon is yours! 😁⚔
Love the targe, it does generally require more complex handling protection on the sword though.
Kerns used them with simple swords. But most other users had complex hints
One form of a smaller round shield could be a steppe/nomad shield. Could be used on foot or on horse back while firing a bow. I would assume the construction would be similar to the targe and sizes would vary widely depending on the individual
Sword and buckler combos had a very long life span in European martial arts. In the Canterbury Tales, all the male pilgrims had a sword and buckler. Several hundred years later, pikemen carried them.
For added offensive capability, a targe with a central spike!
Nice Bowie Knife! I know this channel focuses on medieval content, but I'd love some content on blades used in North America like bowie knives and cavalry sabers
Durability depends on the timber used in the shield construction as well. I think Thane Thrand or Skall, or both? Have a video where he is destruction testing shields made out of linden wood, which I'd essentially mentioned in Norse Sagas as the best wood to make a shield from.
The thing was thin as, (based on some surviving shields from a burial site) but they flexed with the hits. It was more a case of your wrist will break before the shield does, because when someone hits it with a Dane axe it's just flexing.
In a fantasy world, especially one involving rangers I can see such timber being even more prized, or perhaps even reserved for these specialist fighters.
The Rule of Cool says your shield is fine. Prattle speak you'd want to measure from your knuckles to your elbow and add 2 inches. The 1 inch overhang past your fist and elbow would give more functional protraction.
I think steel rotella would be a great all-around shield. Relatively compact, durable, versatile.
Also you can use it as a makeshift table :-))
I would like to see you test the dagger/shield grip to see if it's safe. It seems like a great way to stab yourself in the thigh while you're defending yourself. Don't use a sharp dagger, of course! I really enjoy your channel.
not first. I'd love to see a cut test on that targe.
1- having a lot of nails actually increases the chance it will splinter as your nails are pre forcing the fibres of the wood apart , steel is stronger than wood
2- It is a lot easier to carry even a 12 inch buckler
3- with wood that thick a steel buckler would way less
4- the only advantage I can see to the Targe is its less expensive and might be less noisy ( swash buckler effect )
I personally think that a very large, light, cheap wicker shield is a better choice. It's light enough to not pose an encumbrance and it's much better than the target at performing a shield's most important function: missile defense
I agree that the targe is a suitable shield for an adventurer, they are about perfect size if you're not extremely worried about projectiles(I think the Boromir/Rohirim shields are of a size and are are the smallest you want if you're being hit by projectiles)but I'd counter your point about the buckler, they were used extensively over the very long period for personal defence in the streets and also in warfare. The trade off is that the buckler is even less protection but even more convenience, I have tried mucking around hitting banana trees with a brush hook whilst strapping a shield to my arm, whilst I can see the targe not encountering the same issues my heater shield did(namely getting in my grill), its still not ideal. A buckler you can just hook on your belt or such or over the hilt of your sword leaving you free to use a pole arm or bow even less hindered. You could do the same with a targe, but you might be more limited in putting it somewhere where it will not interfere.
I think a kite shield could also be a pretty solid option as well, if you’re willing to go bigger, because you can cover more of your body vertically with less material compared to a round shield. Granted, I don't have any combat experience whatsoever - one potential downside that immediately comes to mind is that it's probably easier to get around the sides of a kite shaped shield compared to a proportionally sized round shield, but if as an adventurer you're using a smaller shield anyway, I feel the difference becomes kind of moot. I also personally think kite shields are the coolest looking, but that's obviously down to personal taste.
While there are a few possibly mentioned in the Sagas, there is basically no archeological evidence that the Norse faced their shields with leather. The Sagas MIGHT be talking about a hide rim rather than a facing, so even that is uncertain.
I did like Boromirs shield just a bit more, still the targe is a nice shield and it was nice seeing it getting some attention.
Brings to mind the manga Goblin Slayer where the main character carries a shield of similar size. Though it has more of a dome shape to it, which I believe is accurate to some examples of Targe shields.
Goblin slayer has a pretty awesome buckler sized sheild thats always strapped to his forearm. Also remember the targe and broadsword were used in battle mostly during the late 17-18th centuries maybe. This would not be during a "medieval" adventuring setting. The targehad been used against soldiers using muskets also. Scotland Forever!!!!
A roundel/roundache steel domed shield maybe a good choice for an adventurer.
That's awesome, you did a good job on that.
Would love to see more of that shield as you get better with making them. I've always liked that design of shield.
Seeing the design and your skill making them improve over time would be neat if you feel like making more vids around this specific topic.
Cheers!
Great video.
There is a RUclipsr called Fandabi Dozi who has done tests on traditionally made targes with era-correct firearms. I think you'd enjoy his channel!
I think it would work well for your ranged combatants, if you're in a group, a larger shield might be more effective, especially with shield wall tactics with a group.
Of course, there is something to say about going through dungeons with the largest shield you can fit through the corridors leading the way to block just about everything and your allies taking shots around it as you go.
Would it be much better if it had some curve? And/or a boss? If you do beat that one up, maybe you can make the new one with a steel bowl as the boss? Either way, if you make that shield again, make it a tutorial!
A good buckler user can do a whole lot with a buckler, but I think in an adventuring context where they can justify a larger shield, they would take that over a buckler. Most things that make bucklers good can be transferred to a larger shield with ease. (I practice a fair amount of sword and buckler in a hema context)
My main concern is with gauntlets. If you normally wear hourglass gauntlets (for two-handed weapons, say), a targe isn't as easy to grab-and-use as something centergripped.
A knight became quite lacking in energy after they shut down the jousting Arena.
In fact, he was quite listless.
Good one!
You mentioned the Viking shields. It would be interesting to see how well the targe would hold up against a Viking ax. As the ax was one of the Viking's preferred weapons. And the Celts and Vikings had a fair amount of hostile contact historically.
The Britons. Not Celts…that was a xenophobic name placed by the Romans.
@@lynnm6413 OMG Get over yourself. This was supposed to be a fun and interesting diversion. Is there anything else that might offend you snowflake, so I can be sure to add that to the comments?
I saw musket tests against a targe on another channel. If you are worried about your weapons you could try arrows (might be damaged, but cheaper than a sword) or try a spear or ax.
I've had it in my head to craft one of these for a while.for my own Jacobite gear. Covering it in leather does make it seem like it would be stronger compared to the linen covered ones of earlier ages... I've seen a lot of these at festivals and it's amazing how ornate they can get.
You should check fandabi dozi channel, he does a lot of outdoor/survival stuff in 17th century scottish gear. And also has a video with tests on the targe, shooting it with muskets :)
Ah yes I love his stuff!
Hey Kramer, I think you should make to more with handles, big enough for your hand to go through, and then you can have one shield on each arm, and handle s two-handed weapon 🙂
Hehehe. I think that would be awesome. It'd look ridiculous, of course, but better to look silly than be dead, and the targe is honestly the only kind of shield I can imagine double-shielding with. Everything else is either too big or too small.
How the targe is used is how the buckler is described and stated in DnD.
Impressive. Very nice.
I think you are right about that being the best size for an adventurer. If you were just marching to battle probably not but day to day carry and may have to use it to get out of a sticky situation, then yes definitely. Cut tests? Yes, definitely.
Nate
I am in general agreement about the targe and buckler being the quintessential (foot-) adventurer's shield mostly for the reasons you've named. They're (very relativly) light and compact which makes them the ideal off-hand companion for a traveler on foot or a civilian who is preparing for trouble. (armor or a large shield would either more suspicious or cumbersome depending on circumstances).
That said whereas I suspect that in an adventurer's world I suspect that most adventurers would own at least buckler and employ that as their "traveling companion" I am fairly confident that once at their destination they would buy, rent or receive another kind of shield depending on the job and their preferences. (a viking shield would be an ideal rent a shield: you pay the full sum, leave for the job, return and either get say three quarter of the sum back if the shield comes along unharmed or say half of the sum if all that's left is the metal boss).
One point of critique though, I doubt a lot of horsemen would carry it along except for once they're transformed in dismounted (and possibly unarmoured) adventurers. As a horse makes weight and seize less an issue when used as transport and there are plenty of occasions whereby horsemen employed much large shields without much issue (take the norman kite-shield for example). More to the point targes and bucklers require a very active use which is somewhat difficult when mounted upon a horse whereas if it is simply strapped to your arm, you can just as well replace it with a pauldron, vambrace, ... (depending upon it's position) . Furthermore when mounted there is little that a buckler can defend. your horse it obviously can't, whereas your body is already "protected" by the horse's head and it's range is to short to protect your legs or the other side of your body.
also Fandabi Dozi has made a great video about the durability of a targe, you might want to check it before you test your targe (or for inspiration for the next): it is called "Is a highlander shield bulletproof? targe vs Flintlock musket & pistol- historical mythbusting"
Fandabi Dozi is awesome! He was the first person I thought of when I saw this video, too. :)
Of Scots descent myself and I do love me some targes. The look is quite lovely, however... My thoughts on a great shield for an adventurer is the Rotella. Gripped similarly to the targe so you could use a weapon in your grip hand to offend. Similar in size, but made out of steel. Even made of steel it's not very heavy since the material provides strength not thick wooden planks.
Oh and an advantage of the targe is you can hold and use a bow in the hand if the grip is thin enough on the palm. There is primary art of 4th Century Cilbanari and later Arabic horse archers doing this with targe like shields. In the SCA my Squire brother used this set up for combat archery so he could go from archer to swordsman.. I have never owned a rotella to test if it can be done but if the bowl chape was not to deep I think you could.
In India, these shields were made out of metal and used mostly in guerrilla warfare so they would be good for a fantasy setting as well in my opinion.
YES to the shield test with a live weapon :)
I would be interested to know how old this shield style is because one of the oldest scottish homes is a broch (sp?). A broch is a domed style tower with very narrow stairs up and into the main living spaces and a small sheild would work well as a defense in such a home.
Also, upon further thought, most medieval buildings had narrow stairs and hallways and a traveler (adventurer) would benefit by having a way to defend themselves in the narrow passages.
To the best of my recollection, the targe as a distinct, identifiable weapon came about in the 1600's. I know it was in use in the 1700's. Similar sized shields were probably made before then, but would have been less common or at least less consistent.
I also think the steel domed rotella shield would be a good option.
Might be a bit heavy, but they do seem like pretty versatile shields
Big enough to catch an arrow if you had to so that’s a plus.
Yes to the cut tests.... besides how is the great kilt video coming along?
Before you do the cut test and destroy it, carry it for 72 hours. Take it to work, take it to the grocery store, take it to friends' houses... whatever you normally do in a 72 hour period. As a practical safety aspect, you're allowed to tell anyone you're conducting a living archaeology experiment. The point is, use those three days to extrapolate what it might really be like to carry that thing with you on a daily basis over the course of years.
This is something I point out to my D&D players and appreciate how you LARPers bring a sense of reality to it. Think about this for a minute. Those arms and armors you guys have are the tools you needed to clear a dungeon and kill the evil dragon, but... how do you expect ordinary non-adventuring strangers to react? Whether you're walking through Farmer Hooligan's fields or approaching the village gates and have to convince Captain Arsenal you're a decent person, people don't generally like seeing strangers with weapons on their property.
Bucklers çan also slide past your hand up to your elbow to help
Mail your shield to Jorge Sprave or Todd Cutler, or...A collab with someone who has more weapons to use on it?
Yes cut test please
I prefere the Rotella/Rodela over the targe, but the targe is, probably, more affordable
The rotella looks like a viable option well.
You make a convicing argument. But I think making the shield a tad larger and turn it into a small imbracciatura could bring a lot of advantages, at little extra weight. Technically, Uruk hai shields are an imbracciatura of sorts. It would even be interesting to have a small bossed imbracciatura, which can either be strapped along the arm in a duel or melee (where it can be used to punch with the full weight of your upper body), or held in front of you with a center grip to better defend against arrows.
I've been thinking of making a targe for HEMA, would be great to see how you constructed yours
on possible issue I see with that is that your elbow is hanging out just past the end of that shield. I think I would prefer something slightly oblong, so that it could go past my elbow.
Given that, I would be interesting to see/understand how a shield like that gets used in a way that prevents your hand and elbow from getting hit. (had as it isn't very far back from the edge and elbow which is sticking out).
Nothing beats a Fantasy - adventurer with plotarmor. Seemingly unstoppable.
Greetings Boromi... where tf is my shield again?
I had a funny moment with a Targe. I built it, bought expensive leather vor the cover, Brass-nails with domed heads and had a symmetrical pattern on the front.
The Targe was so beautiful that I had to built a second, deliberatly ugly one because I couldn't bring myself to damage the first one XD
Literally same, probably
A targe is on my wishlist at Kult of Athena. I currently have a large 38cm buckler, but mine is a bit heavy for my tastes I currently looking for smaller, liighter bucklers.
PS put some brass studs on the rim of the shield where your knuckles are you have a brass knuckle shield.
Funny I bought a targe today that looks like a black version of your thumbnail. I bought it about the same time you put up this video.