Medieval Shield Symbols

By the high middle ages, shields were emblazoned with picture stories and statements about the beliefs and background of the particular knight, noble or king; shields essentially became the knight's face to the world.

The shields of the early middle ages were relatively simple affairs with painted patterns that matched the family, clan or kingdom the knight belonged to. By the high middle ages, medieval shields had incorporated Christian symbols, stylized animals and other pictures to represent the knight's life story. Christianity had a large impact on medieval European society; the heraldry and symbols of knights reflected this.

The dream Roman Emperor Constantine had of a crucifix emblazoned on the shields of his victorious army began the tradition of placing a crucifix of some kind across the shield of the knight. This symbol was also important in that it divided the shields of medieval knights so that other symbols could be placed upon the shield as well. Other symbols, particularly crowns and a flower-like symbol called the Fleur-de-lis.

While the king would carry a large, prominant crown on his shield, nobles who were vassals would carry smaller versions and the knights of those vassals would have very small, or less ornate, versions of the crown as well. As the middle ages went on, the shield became part of the ensemble of heraldry wear donned by knights. Shields were an integral part of the "coat of arms" of a knight and remained with the knight throughout his lifetime.