A pavise (or pavis, pabys, or pavesen) was an oblong shield used during the mid-14th to early 16th centuries. Often large enough to cover the entire body, it was used by Archery, , and other infantry soldiers on the battlefield as primarily stationary cover.
The Roman army later adopted the scutum, a large rectangular curved shield made from three sheets of wood glued together and covered with canvas and leather, usually with a spindle-shaped Shield boss along the vertical length of the shield.
The shape of the scutum allowed packed formations of legionaries to overlap their shields to provide an effective barrier against projectiles.The most novel use was the testudo, which consisted of legionaries holding shields above themselves to protect against descending projectiles such as arrows, spears, or objects thrown by defenders on walls.
The pavise was primarily used by archers and crossbowmen in the Middle Ages, particularly during . It was carried by a pavisier, usually an archer, or, especially for the larger ones, by a specialist pavise-bearer. The pavise was held in place by the pavisier or sometimes deployed in the ground with a spike attached to the bottom. While reloading their weapons, archers and crossbowmen would crouch behind them to shelter against incoming missile attacks.
Pavises were often painted with the coat of arms of the town where they were made, and sometimes stored in the town arsenal for when the town came under attack. Religious icons such as Saint Barbara and Saint George were featured on the front of pavises. The Hussites chalice was often featured on pavises during the Hussite Wars. Most pavises were covered in a coarse, carpet-base-like canvas, before being painted with oil and egg-based paints. Only 200 or so exist today, but many were present in the period.
|
|