| Stephen Curtin wrote: |
| Here are a few earlier references to Scottish pikemen using shields
14th century http://warfare.fik4.com/WRG/Middle_Ages_1-25-...-14thC.htm 12th century http://warfare.uphero.com/Medieval2/Feudal-49-Scots_Spearman.htm We also know that the Picts used two handed spears, along with shields hung from their necks, as shown in at least one stone carving. All this could point to a long continuous use of shields by Scottish pikemen. |
These links no longer work but the second one used to contain a drawing and description of a 12th century Scottish spearman taken from one of Ian Heath's books. Ian has this spearman with a 12 foot spear and small round shield which he describes as being make from tanned bull's hide. So this seems to be evidence of Scottish pikemen using shields, right? Well recently I came across a paper called ‘Naked and unarmoured’ A reassessment of the role of the Galwiegans at the battle of the standard by Ronan Toolis. This paper puts forth a good case that the Galwiegans at the battle of the standard were light javelin armed skirmishers (much like Irish kern) rather than pikemen. For those interested in reading the paper it's easily available online and well worth a read. This paper also shows us where Ian Heath got the idea that 12th century Scots used hide shields. A Cistercian Monk by the name of Ailred of Rievaulx puts a speech in the mouth of a Norman knight before the battle in which the knight mocks the Scots for having shoddy arms and armour including shields of calfskin. Now Ailred wasn't at the battle himself, so whether the Scots actually used calfskin shields or not is an open question.