Medieval shields, c.o.a. shape

With the help of a shield fighters protected themselves from injury and possible death. The shield's primary function is to repel blows from various weapons. Other types of armour that protected the soldier were, for example, plate armour, wire shirts, leather armour, etc. However unlike the shield, these are not held in the hand. Gothic shields used to be metal, wooden - and from other materials such as turtle shells.