used.

The shield, of all defensive armour, is far the most prominent. They
were often painted with devices, such as Hamlet's shield, Hildiger's
Swedish shield. Dr. Vigfusson has shown the importance of these painted
shields in the poetic history of the Scandinavians.

A red shield is a signal of peace. Shields are set round ramparts on
land as round ships at sea.

"Mail-coats" are worn. Frode has one charmed against steel. Hother has
another; a mail-coat of proof is mentioned and their iron meshes are
spoken of.

"Helmets" are used, but not so carefully described as in "Beowulf's
Lay"; crested helmets and a gilded helmet occur in Bearca-mal and in
another poem.

"Banners" serve as rallying points in the battle and on the march. The
Huns' banners are spoken of in the classic passage for the description
of a huge host invading a country. Bearcamal talks of golden banners.

"Horns" (1) were blown pp at the beginning of the engagement and for
signalling. The gathering of the host was made by delivery of a wooden
arrow painted to look like iron.

"Tactics".--The hand-to-hand fight of the wager of battle with sword
and shield, and the fighting in ranks and the wedge-column at close
quarters, show that the close infantry combat was the main event of the
battle. The preliminary hurling of stones, and shooting of arrows,