53cm Round Shield Rotella of Spanish and Italian light infantry, late 15th - mid 17th century.

This round steel shield is inspired directly by the one used by Spanish and Italian light infantry of the Renaissance, especially the Rodeleros who were fighting with the “Rodella/Rodela” and the one-handed sword, being very efficient against pikemen. The Rodella/Rodela was also the shield that conquered the New World in the hands of the famous Spanish conquistadors of Hernan Cortés and Pizarro. More information...

€160,00
€160,00 excl. VAT
In stock 20 pcs
Item physically stored in our Warehouse in Kadan
, dispatch on: Tomorrow 10-Feb-2025

53cm Rotella / Rodella Shield for SCA Re-enactment, 1.2mm steel

This polished shield is handcrafted from robust 1.2mm thick mild steel, measuring approximately 53cm in diameter. At its back, two genuine leather belts are affixed firmly to a black padded strip (one is fully adjustable with a sturdy steel buckle).

  • Weight approx. 3.4 kg

The Rodeleros, Spanish and Italian light infantry armed with sword and rodela (a type of shield), were prominent from the late 15th century to the mid-17th century.

More precisely:

  • Their heyday was in the 16th century, especially during the Italian Wars (1494-1559), where they proved very effective against heavy cavalry.
  • At the beginning of the 17th century, their importance began to decline with the advent of new military tactics and technologies, such as muskets and artillery.
  • By the mid-17th century, rodeleros had virtually disappeared from the battlefields.

Their decline was caused by several factors:

  • Vulnerability to firearms: Rodeleros were lightly armoured and therefore vulnerable to musket fire.
  • Emergence of new tactics: Linear tactics with the massive use of muskets and artillery reduced the effectiveness of rodeleros' attacks.
  • Training and costs: Training rodeleros was demanding and expensive, making them less accessible to armies.

Although the rodeleros were a significant force on the battlefields for a relatively short time, they left a significant mark on military history. Their tactics and equipment influenced the development of infantry, and their legacy is still studied by military historians.

A high-quality product made by Lord Of Battles®

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