Byzantine Shields
and Cloak Colours

by William John Edwards


Early Period (up to 1071)

Shields

  • Oval Infantry Shields

    Yellow on Red radiating 'teardrops' or 'flower' pattern. I used a combination on my Byzantine Infantry, 1 of yellow on red, 1 of red on yellow, 1 blue on white and one blue on red. All shield rims painted (white or metallic for the white shields).

  • Round shields for Peltastoi

    Green shield with with yellow dots close to edge, red edging (looks good).

    Cavalry Shields 'teardrop'. I have examples of red shields with a green cross and yellow dots and green shield with a small central yellow 'flower'

    Cloaks

    All examples are red with one cavalry example showing a small rectangle of yellow containing smaller rectangles of black. Located just above heart when the cloak is half drawn.

    Later Period 1071 to about 1400

    Shields

    all patterns are a mixture of western heraldic imitation with an eastern influence - e.g. crescents, short crosses instead of christian crosses, wavy lines, etc. Blue chevrons or parallel stripes on a white background seemed popular.

  • Kite/Teardrop Infantry Shield

    This example is of a herladic style - red shield with a yellow lion rampant, metal edge, small yellow flowers around edging.

  • Kite shield of diagonal red shield (metal edging) with diagonal parallel yellow stripes.

  • Cavalry Teardrop Shields Yellow shield with very fine green vine pattern , metal edging, small green 'flower' around boss.

    Cloaks

    Infantry: Brown
    Cavalry: Red

    Very Late (1400 to 1453 or later for Trebizond)

    All troops appear very Turkish - scimitars, no armour, Turkish style shields and shield patterns.


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