The eagle carried imperial associations reaching back to Rome, where it served as the legion’s standard, and that symbolism carried directly into medieval heraldry, where emperors, kings and noble houses across Europe adopted the eagle to project authority and power. Built in the classic heater shape, the curved triangular form that became standard knightly shield equipment from the 12th through 14th centuries, this reproduction recreates that eagle charge in black, red and white.
Crusader Eagle Shield
In the medieval period, it was a common sight to see a knight’s heraldry emblazoned on his shield, a system of identification that let allies and enemies alike recognise a warrior at a glance amid the chaos of battle. This wooden Crusader shield features a black, red and white rampant eagle as its main charge. The eagle, a symbol of imperial authority since Roman times, remained a powerful heraldic charge throughout the medieval period, adopted by emperors, kings and noble houses alike.
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