| After the Dark Ages the world was thrust into a | | | | and often times there was a leather flap covering |
| two hundred year period of incredible creativity | | | | this lantern. The theory was that if attacked the |
| and growth called "The Renaissance". This creative | | | | wielder could throw open the flap and the light |
| force of time brought about some wonderful | | | | from the lantern would dazzle and confuse the |
| masterpieces. It also brought us some really | | | | attacker. It was a bit of psychological warfare |
| quirky and odd ideas. One of these ideas was the | | | | thrown in to the mix. |
| lantern shield. | | | | The use of the Lantern Shield |
| The Lantern Shield originated in sixteenth century | | | | Generally, the lantern shield is believed to have |
| Italy. This was a time of the late Renaissance | | | | been used not for combat but for walking around |
| when creativity was at its maximum and a lot of | | | | Italian cities at night. It was protection against |
| things were being created. One of the basic | | | | ruffians and robbers more so than against |
| tenets of creativity is that of fusion where things | | | | combatants in battle. |
| are added together to make a new thing. The | | | | How effective was it as a weapon? |
| Lantern shield is a good example of this fusion - | | | | The effectiveness of the Lantern Shield in real |
| taken too far. It attempts to create something | | | | combat is questionable but in the context of |
| that has defensive characteristics, offensive | | | | walking around a dangerous city at night it does |
| characteristics and even a bit of psychological | | | | warrant some interesting conclusions. First off, it |
| warfare! | | | | was probably very ominous looking and any would |
| What is a Lantern Shield? | | | | be robber was probably inclined to just move on |
| It is a small shield in the shape of a buckler and | | | | to the next victim. And if a combative situation |
| generally about a foot in diameter. And this basic | | | | arose the whole contraption was probably |
| shield was turned into a veritable swiss army | | | | reasonably effective at staving off injury much in |
| knife of a weapon by the addition of a variety of | | | | the same way as a porcupine does! The addition |
| other things such as a gauntlet with serrated | | | | of the lantern was also a strong deterrent against |
| blades. These serrations were theoretically used | | | | attack because any nighttime robber would just |
| to break an opponent's blade. There was also a | | | | avoid the illumination and exposure. So as a real |
| long blade attached to the shield that ran parallel | | | | weapon it was probably not very good but as a |
| to the users shield arm. This could be used to | | | | deterrent it was probably reasonably effective. |
| thrust at an opponent. The shield also often had | | | | Any robber or ruffian seeing someone carrying |
| spikes protruding from it which could be used as | | | | this thing would probably just move on to the |
| piercing weapons. But the most unusual thing | | | | next victim. |
| about this weapon, and the thing that gives it its | | | | Will Kalif is the author of two epic fantasy novels |
| name, is the lantern. It had a hook in the middle | | | | and is an avid fan of all things fantasy and |
| of the shield where a lantern could be attached | | | | medieval. |