The pavise, as a distinct type of shield, took shape during the first half of the 14th century. Shields that can be regarded as true pavises were used approximately from the mid-14th century until the first half of the 16th century. The shapes of individual pavises could vary, but the most common form was rectangular with rounded corners or with a rounded top edge. A common feature of most pavises was a vertically oriented central rib, formed either by curving the shield itself or adding a reinforcing bar.
Pavises were produced in several sizes. Large pavises could cover almost the entire body, while medium-sized ones shielded the torso and partially the upper part of the legs. Crossbowmen and handgunners usually took cover behind these pavises while reloading, with medium-sized pavises often carried on their backs, allowing them to turn their backs to the enemy when reloading.
Small pavises formed a separate branch of this shield type and could be carried by both infantry and cavalry. For cavalry—particularly medium-armored cavalry and light cavalry of both European and Eastern types—this shield type was quite popular in Central and Eastern Europe (the Holy Roman Empire, the Kingdom of Bohemia, Hungary, Poland, etc.), where it could be used in place of the so-called „tartsche“ cavalry shield type.
Hand painted wooden medieval shield, suitable for a period reconstruction of a medieval warrior.
- Height 61 cm
- Width at the top 37 cm
- Width at the bottom 30 cm
- Weight approximately 2.4-2.5 kg