Pavise with St Andrew’s Cross, anonymous, c. 1474 - c. 1475
painting technique, h 105cm × w 60.4cm × d 14.2cm × t 2cm More details
In combat, pavises (oblong shields), were positioned on the ground for cover and also identified their users, probably crossbowmen, on the battlefield: the shield was blazoned with the arms of the ruler or town for which they fought. Here the red St Andrew’s cross, the four gold firesteels, and the black-white flints with red flames form the armorial bearings of the Duke of Burgundy, who ruled over the Netherlands.
