- Pavise
A pavise (or pavis, pabys, pavesen) is a large convex
shield ofEurope an origin used to protect the entire body. The pavise was also made in a smaller version for hand to hand combat and for wearing on the back ofmen-at-arms . It is characterized by its prominent central ridge.The pavise was primarily used by archers and
crossbow men in the medieval period, particularly duringsiege s. It was carried by a "pavisier", usually an archer, or, especially for the larger ones, by a groom. The pavise was held in place by the pavisier or sometimes deployed in the ground with a spike attached to the bottom. While reloading their weapons, crossbowmen would crouch behind them to shelter against incoming missile attacks.Pavises were often painted with the coat of arms of the town where they were made, and sometimes stored in the town arsenal for when the town came under attack. Religious icons such as St. Barbara and St. George were featured on the front of pavises. Even the
Hussite chalice was featured on pavises during theHussite Wars . Most pavises were covered in a coarse, carpet base like canvas, before painting and painted with oil and egg-based paints. Only 200 or so exist today but many were present in the period.See also
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Mantlet External links
* [http://www.myarmoury.com/talk/viewtopic.php?t=2711 15th Century Pavises] (myArmoury.com forum topic)
* [http://www.myarmoury.com/feature_shield.html The Shield: An Abridged History of its Use and Development] (myArmoury.com article)
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