Building a Viking House: Walls and Shields Bushcraft Project (PART 8)
video description
Date: 2019-09-10
Related videos
Comments and reviews: 10
Douglas MacFarlane
Heres some fun facts since you guys seemed so fascinated while talking about the shields. Keep in mind that this is an amalgamation of info relating to what is generally recognized as a viking shield. Some of this info may be grossly inaccurate depending on the time and place in history. Typically planks butted together with adhesive, laminated with several layers of linen (Think bedsheets. It was edged with rawhide or other types of leather, which could be sewn on or nailed in. You are correct about the term boss, it was to protect the hand since these types of shields used a punch grip and it increased the lifespan of the shield considerably as well. The thickness and diameter of yours isn't far off eitherWhen it comes to paint, your dads pattern is pretty close, a common colour combination was black and yellow sectors, and a few writings from the migration period tell us that someone with red as a primary colour on their shield wasn't friendly. Decorating weapons and tools was also common and could be as simple as an inscription reading This axe belongs to Peter though pagans loved their runes, knotwork and animal shapes.
reply
Heres some fun facts since you guys seemed so fascinated while talking about the shields. Keep in mind that this is an amalgamation of info relating to what is generally recognized as a viking shield. Some of this info may be grossly inaccurate depending on the time and place in history. Typically planks butted together with adhesive, laminated with several layers of linen (Think bedsheets. It was edged with rawhide or other types of leather, which could be sewn on or nailed in. You are correct about the term boss, it was to protect the hand since these types of shields used a punch grip and it increased the lifespan of the shield considerably as well. The thickness and diameter of yours isn't far off eitherWhen it comes to paint, your dads pattern is pretty close, a common colour combination was black and yellow sectors, and a few writings from the migration period tell us that someone with red as a primary colour on their shield wasn't friendly. Decorating weapons and tools was also common and could be as simple as an inscription reading This axe belongs to Peter though pagans loved their runes, knotwork and animal shapes.
reply
Sean Gere
Yes it's called a boss. It's to protect the hand and also so the grip is inline with the shield itself. There's a few different reasons why they use a boss instead of a grip and strap. It gives the user more maneuverability and makes it less likely that an arrow will go through the shield and stick into your arm like it would if they had a grip and strap, sense the viking shield was so thin and lightweight compared to most shields in Europe. They where made that way so that if struck by a sword it has a higher potential of binding the sword of your enemies and in doing so makes them an easier target and deprives them of their sword. Yes that would mean you are down a shield for the moment but once you have dispatched your opponent you have time, unless it's a pitched battle with loads of fighters, to remove the sword, gaining another weapon in the process, and continuing using your shield if it's not totally destroyed.
reply
Yes it's called a boss. It's to protect the hand and also so the grip is inline with the shield itself. There's a few different reasons why they use a boss instead of a grip and strap. It gives the user more maneuverability and makes it less likely that an arrow will go through the shield and stick into your arm like it would if they had a grip and strap, sense the viking shield was so thin and lightweight compared to most shields in Europe. They where made that way so that if struck by a sword it has a higher potential of binding the sword of your enemies and in doing so makes them an easier target and deprives them of their sword. Yes that would mean you are down a shield for the moment but once you have dispatched your opponent you have time, unless it's a pitched battle with loads of fighters, to remove the sword, gaining another weapon in the process, and continuing using your shield if it's not totally destroyed.
reply
knightshousegames
It is called a shield boss. The handle for the shield was actually inside the boss. The shield itself would be planks of wood secured together, with tanned leather glued to it with natural glue, which actually made it super strong. There would be a hole in the middle of the shield, and there would be a steel bar across the opening of the boss that you would grab to hold the shield, with your hand effectively in the boss, using the bar to turn the shield. Interestingly, the shield being slightly warped is actually not a terrible thing, as that would naturally happen over time, and a curved surface like that deflects attacks more effectively than a flat surface, as the point of a shield is to deflect attacks, not just eat them like you see in games and movies.
reply
It is called a shield boss. The handle for the shield was actually inside the boss. The shield itself would be planks of wood secured together, with tanned leather glued to it with natural glue, which actually made it super strong. There would be a hole in the middle of the shield, and there would be a steel bar across the opening of the boss that you would grab to hold the shield, with your hand effectively in the boss, using the bar to turn the shield. Interestingly, the shield being slightly warped is actually not a terrible thing, as that would naturally happen over time, and a curved surface like that deflects attacks more effectively than a flat surface, as the point of a shield is to deflect attacks, not just eat them like you see in games and movies.
reply
Johan Timmer
One thing you should build near the house is a cooking pit lined with stones in which you make a fire first, then wrap big chunks of meat, bury the lot and make another fire on top. Another suggestion: get one of these old-fashioned italian espresso makers you can put in the embers to get real coffee rather than this instant muck. Yet one more: get some ammo cases from a surplus shop to store food in so the mice and rats can't get at it. If you can get the good old aluminium ones from the swiss army, they're pretty good in a canoe as well, watertight enough for normal conditions and a boon to keep things like biscuits whole.
reply
One thing you should build near the house is a cooking pit lined with stones in which you make a fire first, then wrap big chunks of meat, bury the lot and make another fire on top. Another suggestion: get one of these old-fashioned italian espresso makers you can put in the embers to get real coffee rather than this instant muck. Yet one more: get some ammo cases from a surplus shop to store food in so the mice and rats can't get at it. If you can get the good old aluminium ones from the swiss army, they're pretty good in a canoe as well, watertight enough for normal conditions and a boon to keep things like biscuits whole.
reply
Abel GUILLAUME
Actually the domed iron boss on the middle of the viking shield is made to protect the hand, because there is a hole in the middle of the wood panel normally. It has been suggested that the neck and knob were used to catch and trap incoming sword blades, allowing the blade to be twisted out of the opponent's hand, or possibly to be snapped in two. The boss must be large enough to comfortably admit the hand and allow the shield to shift freely around the hand as the combatant moves the shield from one side to the other.
reply
Actually the domed iron boss on the middle of the viking shield is made to protect the hand, because there is a hole in the middle of the wood panel normally. It has been suggested that the neck and knob were used to catch and trap incoming sword blades, allowing the blade to be twisted out of the opponent's hand, or possibly to be snapped in two. The boss must be large enough to comfortably admit the hand and allow the shield to shift freely around the hand as the combatant moves the shield from one side to the other.
reply
Sean Lewis
I think Dustin needs to add a shield of his own making. Represent with pride young man Mike, the metal piece in the center of the shield is indeed called the boss. The inside of the shield was cut out behind it so your hand had good clearance when holding your shield. Often, an extra weapon was carried in the shield hand as well, held against the boss strap or grip so a bit of extra clearance for your knuckles was helpful. Not a uniquely Viking technique, but a very common practice for troops with shields.
reply
I think Dustin needs to add a shield of his own making. Represent with pride young man Mike, the metal piece in the center of the shield is indeed called the boss. The inside of the shield was cut out behind it so your hand had good clearance when holding your shield. Often, an extra weapon was carried in the shield hand as well, held against the boss strap or grip so a bit of extra clearance for your knuckles was helpful. Not a uniquely Viking technique, but a very common practice for troops with shields.
reply
Wongchokin Business
You guys are legends Love every project that you do and you have advanced along way from the pallet wood cabin project. Love watching you and learning, it's always something I've enjoyed and would love to be able to do myself. Keep up the awesome work and the fresh projects and content You should offer a bushcraft training course and teach your skills and knowledge to others first hand. Sure many would love it Awesome as always
reply
You guys are legends Love every project that you do and you have advanced along way from the pallet wood cabin project. Love watching you and learning, it's always something I've enjoyed and would love to be able to do myself. Keep up the awesome work and the fresh projects and content You should offer a bushcraft training course and teach your skills and knowledge to others first hand. Sure many would love it Awesome as always
reply
Krystyna Haywood
Really enjoying your videos, given me lots of bushcraft ideas for both my allotments. thank you. Why dont one of you learn beekeeping and get a beehive there, and start putting some crops planted around the wooded area? Would introduce a nice sustainable living idea, pick some veg and cook it in a pot to make an ongoing pottage soup like they used to. Good luck guys, keep it going.
reply
Really enjoying your videos, given me lots of bushcraft ideas for both my allotments. thank you. Why dont one of you learn beekeeping and get a beehive there, and start putting some crops planted around the wooded area? Would introduce a nice sustainable living idea, pick some veg and cook it in a pot to make an ongoing pottage soup like they used to. Good luck guys, keep it going.
reply
Jack Fisher
Domek wikingow to nie jest, ale fajny projekt. Wikingowie byli swietnymi budowniczymi a ta chatka jest daleka od swietnego budownictwa. Mieszkam w Danii 8 km od starego portu wikingow. Wikingowie budowali chatki bardzo podobne do tych ktore budowal rod Piastow, ale nie tylko. W Norwegii stoi ogromny kosciol celtycki postawiony wlasnie przez wikingow i jest to bardzo nietypowa budowla.
reply
Domek wikingow to nie jest, ale fajny projekt. Wikingowie byli swietnymi budowniczymi a ta chatka jest daleka od swietnego budownictwa. Mieszkam w Danii 8 km od starego portu wikingow. Wikingowie budowali chatki bardzo podobne do tych ktore budowal rod Piastow, ale nie tylko. W Norwegii stoi ogromny kosciol celtycki postawiony wlasnie przez wikingow i jest to bardzo nietypowa budowla.
reply
Deborah Beynon
Awesome. Unbelievable. You have all done an incredible job. Omg. Wow. Thank you for this video. I can't begin to tell you what a major job you have done. Food photography, the build, thought, realism, every bit of it is just incredible. Thanks to all of you. I think you should rent this out for a circa? Viking Holiday Experience. Well done all of you.
reply
Awesome. Unbelievable. You have all done an incredible job. Omg. Wow. Thank you for this video. I can't begin to tell you what a major job you have done. Food photography, the build, thought, realism, every bit of it is just incredible. Thanks to all of you. I think you should rent this out for a circa? Viking Holiday Experience. Well done all of you.
reply
Add a review, comment
Other channel videos
