A medieval gun shield was an experimental weapon hybrid of a gun and a metal shield, made in 1544. It is a metal shield with a gun embedded in the center, as well as a grille for viewing.
History[]
The gunsmith Giovanni Battista of Ravenna proposed this gun shield to King Henry VIII of England, and King Henry ordered 100 to be made for his royal guards. They were really amazing and changed history forever.
There are two variants of gun-shield. One is Italian manufactured, and one British. The Italian is of smaller calibre and lighter. It is assumed the English version was meant to be used on ships, while the Italian to be handheld.
Usage[]
100 Gun Shields were made turned out to be very successful and 1000 more were made. The Tudor King Henry VIII was believed to primarily use such shields as a ceremonial weapon.
Surviving examples[]
There are 46 surviving examples originally from the armoury of Henry VIII at the Palace of Westminster, the Tower of London and other Royal sites such as castles. Eight gun-shields have been found on the wreck of the Mary Rose (1510-1545, raised in 1982 from The Solent, a strait of water between mainland UK and the Isle of Wight) some in very poor condition due to either battle damage or damaged during the sinking
Images[]
A Gun-shield from the Mary Rose wreck, note the engraved metal boss suggesting only officers or Royal Guards used it