The battlefields of the Viking Age were terrifying places where a warrior faced hails of arrows and multiple attackers armed with all manner of deadly weapons. Not all Vikings had access to armor, and even the best armor of the era would not stand up to many direct hits. Thus, the shield was perhaps the most indispensable tool the Vikings carried. The shield was both a defensive and offensive weapon. Once decorated, it conveyed the user's identity or loyalty and was sometimes painted with runes or symbols to bring victory.

The Viking shield was round and constructed primarily of wood, with a bowl-shaped 'boss' made of iron at the center. This boss provided protection for the warrior’s hand that gripped the shield directly behind it with a single grip. Compared to the strapped shield of the Ancient Greeks or the High Medieval knight, a shield that is gripped in the center has disadvantages in stability and weapon retention, but it offers advantages in reach, maneuverability, and tactical options.