The purpose of the overlapping shields placed along the gunwales may have been
to protect the crew from spray as well as to alleviate the storage problem for
the shields. A mounting rail to which the shields could be secured ran the length
of the ship thus providing for an impressive display. So as not to interfere
with the task of the oarsmen, it is thought that the display of shields were
reserved for when the ship was in port.
Medieval Shipping
History
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