​With this buckler, the aim was to better understand the weight to the buckler to see where the weight could be reduced without compromising the structural integrity. This buckler also included lessons learned from both J.1, J.2, and D.1 to improve the overall quality. 

​I ordered new wood from the same source as the D.1 buckler since it proved to be a reliable source. Unfortunately, there was a clear difference between the last lot of wood and the newest delivered. This would prove to be a design challenge to work around but did not impact the buckler’s construction too significantly.

​Like the previous buckler construction, the planks were cut to size and the hole for the hand was cut into four of the planks (two for each layer of the buckler). Some wood filler was added to one of the planks to make up for some of the thickness issues.

​Next, hinged nails attached the boss and the handle to the wood. I decided to use a larger buckler than the last buckler, so I had more room for my fencing gloves. Smaller holes were drilled for the nails after the lessons learned from D.1 I also chose to use a flatter and wider handle that did not extend to the rim of the buckler due to issues I had with some techniques while using D.1. 

For the liner, I soaked the rawhide bone in brown tie dye. In previous testing, Jerod had confirmed that soaking rawhide in coffee could stain the rawhide. Unfortunately, this left a very potent coffee smell. So instead, I used a brown dye.
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Finally, the liner was attached to the buckler. Instead of hinged nails, I secured the liner with tacks like J.1 and J.2 used. The last step was to add the wood resin to darken the wood. 

The following measurements were taken during construction to better understand the weight of the buckler:

• Wood and glue of planks without buckler rounding: 946 gr
• Wood and glue of planks after cutting buckler to size: 584 gr
• Boss weight: 523 gr
• Boss and handle nails: 74 gr

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The final weight of the buckler was 1243 gr.

The buckler has completed its durability and longevity testing. The buckler survived with visible damage to the liner.
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Interestingly, the boss started to rattle immediately after using it during sparring. At first I thought it was the hinged nails coming loose. However, it appears that the boss was warped and more raised in some sections than others. I believe this occurred while hinging the nails. I used a wood block to prevent the nails from knocking loose which may have created enough sponging of impact force to warp the boss. For the next buckler, I will use an anvil to brace the nails instead.

Overall, I am very pleased with this buckler. I was able to reduce the weight from my previous design quite a bit while still ensuring structural integrity. While the boss does rattle, it appears to be insignificant and not a risk to the buckler’s structure. The nails also did not split the wood like what was seen in D.1.

Unfortunately, I am not as satisfied with the handle. It feels a little too wide and too thick. I have been disarmed from my buckler a number of times while sparring because I lost my grip. For the next buckler, this will need to be addressed.
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Finally, based on the weight analysis, it would appear the only way left to reduce the weight of a wooden buckler is to decrease the thickness of the layers of wood or to use a different wood. I have not been impressed with the performance of softer wood bucklers so the next step is to see how thin I can make the buckler.

We are continuing our historical buckler research with a second buckler made by guest writer, Jerod. This buckler explored the use of different hardwood and its impact to the buckler performance.

The testing of j.1 provided valuable feedback and data for buckler j.2. Most noteworthy was that j.1 was too thick (¾”) increasing its weight. The weight was not unmanageable but would fatigue most testers in a 10 point match. Second was that two layers of boards with the grain in a perpendicular orientation would reduce strain on a single layer’s butt joint and prevent any cracking from propagating fully through the buckler. I also sought to improve the producibility of the buckler (ease of manufacturing) and improve the ability to hold it with a modern armored glove.

For this build I used walnut instead of red oak for the face of the buckler. My thought here was the walnut is still a hardwood, but might help reduce the overall weight of the buckler and every gram helps. Also this buckler would be 12” instead of 14” in diameter as well as two layers of ¼” boards bringing the total thickness to ½”. 

Rather than starting by cutting each board I instead started with the joints and glued the two layers together, clamped and left for 24 hours. 

Once the glue had dried I proceeded to mark the outer diameter of the buckler face and made an initial rough cut to shape. I then used the belt sander to smooth the edges and achieve the desired round shape.​

​With the outer shape cut I moved to the inner hole. For this I used a 5 ½” holesaw. With the initial hole created I then used a rasp to open the inner diameter and ensure it was smooth and the desired roundness.

I then sanded and rounded the edges to reduce likelihood of injury when in use. This method was much easier to initially cut, but the final sanding was made more difficult by the fact that the joined planks prevented use of the belt sander. Future versions I will use a larger hole saw to get closer to the final inner diameter. 

​I then turned my attention to the handle which I made from yellow pine. The thought here was the handle does not take impacts and could be a softer, lighter wood. And perhaps even the softer wood would lend some energy absorption from heavy blows. I also shaped it less as a straight “bar” of wood and more of an arch shape to move the hand away from the buckler and provide room for modern armored gloves.

​Next I used clinched nails to secure the handle and pop rivets to secure the boss to the wood face. 

​With the structure of the buckler complete I moved on to finishes. Applying linseed oil to protect the wood from moisture and tacking on the leather lining. For this version I pre-marked the tack holes on the leather strip at 1” spacing to provide a cleaner final look. I also overlapped the seem of leather to prevent a damaging blow like what happened with j.1.

Below buckler j.2 (right) is shown alongside j.1 (left). Next up, testing! Final weight of j.2 was 1286g.

​In use the 12” x ½” buckler is significantly lighter than the 14” x ¾” buckler which was expected. In use it felt no heavier or more cumbersome than a 12” metal buckler. It continued to exhibit the “sponging” properties of the wooden bucklers. In practice I found it to be sturdier than the original j.1 build thanks to the adjustments made to the lining, and multilayer construction. The walnut also did a better job at reducing deep gouges. I suspect it’s from the slightly softer wood giving more and absorbing energy rather than “cracking” under hits. One disappointment was I had grown accustomed to the additional protection afforded by the 14” j.1. In fact I plan on making a j.3 that will be 14” in diameter but utilizing the construction methods of j.2 to reduce weight. After many weeks of testing the overall wear of j.2 is minimal and I would anticipate it holding up for many months of rigorous training. The reductions in weight and improved handle are a big contributing factor to its overall usability.

In HEMA, we spend a lot of time combing through manuscripts and cultural documents to better understand the context that surrounds the systems we study. So today, I would like to shine a spotlight on a story surrounding a famous outlaw and his friar friend. Like many of us, they too sought to see who the best swordsman was.

Today we will analyze the duel between Robin Hood and Friar Tuck in the ballad Robin Hood and the Curtail Friar. This particular tale of Robin Hood may be as old as the late 15th century and has countless retellings throughout history.
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One of the books that helped tremendously in this research is Robin Hood by J.C Holt. This book is a great read that tries to identify the real Robin Hood and collects much of the history we know regarding the poems, ballads, and potential identity of the outlaw. I have also chosen to use the 1888 translation of the ballad From The English and Scottish Popular Ballads by Francis James Child because I find it one of the easiest to follow.

Updated 5/9/2023 - Added a discussion on the types of swords and bucklers they may have used during the duel.

The ballad begins in the summer while Robin Hood and his Merry Men are competing and showing off their feats to best one another in different activities. Then Robin Hood proudly asks who can best him. Will Scarlet alludes to a friar that is better than himself and Robin Hood. 

5  'God's blessing on thy heart,' said Robin Hood,
'That hath [shot] such a shot for me;
I would ride my horse an hundred miles,
To finde one could match with thee.'
 
6  'That causd Will Scadlock to laugh,
He laughed full heartily:
'There lives a curtal frier in Fountains Abby
Will beat both him and thee.

​Robin Hood then prepares to meet the Friar and arms himself with his sword and buckler.

9  Robin Hood put on his harness good,
And on his head a cap of steel,
Broad sword and buckler by his side,
And they became him weel.

​Once Robin Hood met with the Friar, he notices that the friar was also prepared with his sword and buckler.

12 The fryer had on a harniss good,
And on his head a cap of steal,
Broad sword and buckler by his side,
And they became him weel.

​From there, calamity ensues and the duel begins. Robin would fire an arrow at the friar who deflects the incoming projectile with his buckler.

21 One of his best arrows under his belt
To the frier he let flye;
The curtal frier, with his steel buckler,
He put that arrow by.

​Robin Hood would then fire all of his arrows, failing to strike the friar. He then would turn to his trusty sword and buckler.

22 'Shoot on, shoot on, thou fine fellow,
Shoot on as thou hast begun;
If thou shoot here a summers day,
Thy mark I will not shun.'
 
23 Robin Hood shot passing well,
Till his arrows all were gone;
Theytook their swords and steel bucklers,
And fought with might and maine;

​There sword and buckler duel continued for six hours until Robin Hood asked to call for aid. The Friar allowed it which allows Robin Hood to summon his merry men to aid him.

24 From ten oth' clock that day,
Till four ith' afternoon;
Then Robin Hood came to his knees,
Of the frier to beg a boon.

​The tale continues as each duelist continues to match each other’s skill. The tale ends with Robin Hood recruiting the friar to his band of merry men.

This ballad is believed to be at least from the 15th century. It is possible that the poet behind the ballad envisioned Robin Hood and the curtail friar using 15th-century arming swords with simple crossguards. Likewise, they could have been envisioned using falchions and messer-like swords, which were common swords in England in the 15th century. However, if we assume that this ballad is as old as the Robin Hood legend, dating back to possibly the 13th century, then it is safe to assume that Robin Hood and the curtail friar were using arming swords with simple crossguards similar to what is shown in I.33 and other medieval manuscripts from the 13th and 14th century. Likewise, the buckler would be a simple round buckler, possibly made of leather, wood, metal, or a combination of the three.

Robin Hood and the curtail friar, who is later known as Friar Tuck, appear to be great sword and buckler duelists. I have a hard time imagining this telling of Friar Tuck as the fat and jolly friar commonly depicted. To be able to duel for six hours straight is no small feat, even for a legend!

Friar Tuck also seems relatively agile to evade or deflect an entire quiver of arrows launched by Robin Hood. It is interesting to see bucklers deflecting arrows in the poem. It makes me wonder if that is intended to show the audience just how skilled he is or if there is some cultural reference that has been lost to time the use of bucklers to deflect arrows. As a last-ditch effort, I suppose a buckler is better than nothing against arrows.

Nothing in the way of technique for swordsmanship is expressed in the poem, but there is a great takeaway modern sword practitioner can take from this: be calculated. In six hours of fighting, neither Robin Hood nor Friar Tuck performed a technique that would lead to getting hit. This shows great poise to not double and not to perform a suicidal action that would put themselves at risk. Robin Hood and Friar Tuck both recognized it was better for both combatants to live than to have two dead idiots. Plus, it would not be much of a tale if Robin Hood or Friar Tuck did not live to see the next adventure.

Of course, this is just a story and not necessarily representative of a real duel. However, the idea that a legendary sword and buckler duelist can fight for hours without getting struck is a goal we modern sword practitioners can strive for. Want to be a great sword and buckler fencer? Fight like Robin Hood and Friar Tuck.

​Robin Hood and the Curtail Friar is one of my favorite Robin Hood Tales. It is the story of how Friar Tuck, one of my favorite characters in the Robin Hood stories, joined the Merry Men. Ultimately, it is a tale of how Robin Hood showed up and started a fight with Friar Tuck, only to find his equal and make a friend out of it. It reminds me of how I made one of my best friends in high school (A tale for another day).

This also highlights some types of people who would be seen using swords and bucklers. Both rogues and friars alike are classic archetypes in the fantasy genre.

​I hope you enjoyed this tale of Robin Hood and Friar Tuck and learning about sword and buckler from a less-than-common source in the world of HEMA.