Enarmes

Shield with enarmes highlighted

Enarmes are the leather gripping straps attached to the back of shields throughout the Medieval period.

Enarmes represented a significant change in shield technology, as beforehand shields were held by a single bar that ran behind a boss. Enarmes were held in place by riveting through the leather and the facing of the shield, and reinforced with small, square-cut washers. Enarmes are visible on shields in the Bayeux Tapestry.

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