guige straps

[audax]

This is sort of a tangent to the center grip heater thread.

Anyone ever use a guige strap on their sheild, of whatever configuration? (I don't even know if they are legal in the SCA. The marshal's handbook for Ansteorra doesn't mention them, as far as I can tell.) What do people think about using them in SCA combat? Personally I think it could be useful with a center grip heater, in that it could act to balance the sheild and give it a solid brace, thus preventing it from turning while fighting. If you made the strap adjustable, you could find a sweet spot of mobility and support.

Regards,

audax

[justus]

They are not illegal, but you cannot, for example, hang a shield on you back and not take wrap shots.

I would also imagine that if the strap intercepted a shot, you would be in a marshal “grayâ€Â

[Guenievre]

My husband had one on his standard Atlantian heater for a while, but it was more for mobility, etc than an active part of the way he used his shield. He loved it at Pennsic, though - made hooking the shield away from it a lot harder, not to mention improving the walk back from the battlefield...

[mordreth]

My heater has a gauge strap running from dexter chief to sinister base
the shield is impossible to snatch (that point was already made)
shoving my hand forward raises the corner of the shield into a headblock
pulling down with the elbow pulls the shield into a very solid leg block

[Maximillian]

Does anyone have pictues on how they look on a shield?












Max

[Alcyoneus]

Glendour has used one on his center grip oval, but it runs from the shield to the back of his upper arm, I think.

[audax]

What the heck, I'll give it a try.

Could be fun and at least historic.

audax

[Christophe de Frisselle]

This is sort of a tangent to the center grip heater thread.

Anyone ever use a guige strap on their sheild, of whatever configuration? (I don't even know if they are legal in the SCA. The marshal's handbook for Ansteorra doesn't mention them, as far as I can tell.) What do people think about using them in SCA combat? Personally I think it could be useful with a center grip heater, in that it could act to balance the sheild and give it a solid brace, thus preventing it from turning while fighting. If you made the strap adjustable, you could find a sweet spot of mobility and support.

Regards,

audax

I use one on both my kite shields. Nothing illegal about them. The make a handy way to transport the shield and limit how far out from the body the shield can go. When not fighting I just let it hang by the strap in stead of holding it up. I've only had it get in the way once in about two years.

[Girard]

I'm Guenivre's husband, as she mentioned above, I have used one. I don't know where I read that they were common or even possible, but I figured it made some sense and gave it a shot.

It was pretty easy to make really. I just took a long piece of leather strapping and ran it from one corner to the other. If you are behind the shield, it started at the left corner (the side opposite where my hand was) and ran to about half way along the curve on the other side. (So, if you are looking at my heraldry, it was from the top black corner to curve at the bottom on the ermine side). I also put a buckle on it, so I could play with the length of the strap.

I've only had any real success with it in melee, when people are going to be hooking my shield. It prevents the idea of someone pulling just your shield forward, and now requires them to move you instead. In tournaments, I just bound the thing up behind the shield and didn't bother with it.

But yes, the main advantage of it is the ease of walking with your shield. I would sling it over the shoulder, stick my sword in my belt, and just had to put my helm under my arm (or carry it by the bargrill). I’ll probably put it back on my war shield before Pennsic, if for no other reason but the walk to the field.

[justus]

It's hard to find a period depiction of a shield without a guige strap.

To use a shield on horseback, a guige strap is essential.

On horse back it allowed you to drape the shield over your left side, (that is why kite shields are kite shaped, they cover the area you could stick a lance into someone on horse back) and still keep a hand on the reigns. The strap also helped keep your shield close to your person in the violent clash of a charge and battle.

Even if you are holding your shield in one hand and a lance or sword in the other, there will come times when you need to use the reigns, then what do you do, drop you shield? This isn't "Kingdom of Heaven" We try and keep our shields with us. The guige strap allows you to quickly grasp and release your shield, and still keep it in a defensive position.

Yes yes, I know that you can train a horse to respond to leg commands alone, but in the clash of arms and extreme confusion of battle with you and your horse getting knocked around left and right, the reigns are the best way to control your mount, and the only way of stopping your horse if he decides to take off without you. And when advancing to the rear, also known as fleeing the enemy, you could have your shield across your back to catch arrows. (several period depictions of this)

It also made it easy to carry your shield on horse back or foot when weren't using it (98% of the time) as well as allowing you to hang it on your horse, or your wall.


Sorry if I got a little carried away there, I’m all about the guige strap, which is funny since I seldom use a shield. But I will when I make one!

It’s also a great place to have extra bling! Plaque belt type guige straps were popular in the 14-15th centuries...

I'd better quit while I'm ahead.

No wait, one more thing! for SCA use I would attach D rings to the shield, and trigger clasps to the guige strap so you can take it on and off as needed.

-Justus

[Oswyn_de_Wulferton]

How would one balance the strap? I know that straps for your arm can make or break a shield and am wondering how to balance a guige strap.

[justus]

It's not as finicky as the arm straps, two attachemnt points at the top, or one on the leading edge and one half way down the back edge would work fine.

[audax]

It's hard to find a period depiction of a shield without a guige strap.

To use a shield on horseback, a guige strap is essential.

On horse back it allowed you to drape the shield over your left side, (that is why kite shields are kite shaped, they cover the area you could stick a lance into someone on horse back) and still keep a hand on the reigns. The strap also helped keep your shield close to your person in the violent clash of a charge and battle.

Even if you are holding your shield in one hand and a lance or sword in the other, there will come times when you need to use the reigns, then what do you do, drop you shield? This isn't "Kingdom of Heaven" We try and keep our shields with us. The guige strap allows you to quickly grasp and release your shield, and still keep it in a defensive position.

Yes yes, I know that you can train a horse to respond to leg commands alone, but in the clash of arms and extreme confusion of battle with you and your horse getting knocked around left and right, the reigns are the best way to control your mount, and the only way of stopping your horse if he decides to take off without you. And when advancing to the rear, also known as fleeing the enemy, you could have your shield across your back to catch arrows. (several period depictions of this)

It also made it easy to carry your shield on horse back or foot when weren't using it (98% of the time) as well as allowing you to hang it on your horse, or your wall.


Sorry if I got a little carried away there, I’m all about the guige strap, which is funny since I seldom use a shield. But I will when I make one!

It’s also a great place to have extra bling! Plaque belt type guige straps were popular in the 14-15th centuries...

I'd better quit while I'm ahead.

No wait, one more thing! for SCA use I would attach D rings to the shield, and trigger clasps to the guige strap so you can take it on and off as needed.

-Justus

Syr Justus,

YOur input is most helpful. I especially like your suggestion regarding d-rings and trigger clasps.

I finally have my heraldry redone so off to buy some plywood this weekend.

audax