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Buckler

A buckler (french bouclier 'shield', from old french bocle, boucle 'boss') is a small, round shield -- it was generally used in hand-to-hand combat during the Middle Ages, as its size made it poor protection against missile weapons (e.g., arrows) but useful in deflecting the blow of an opponent's sword or mace. MS I.33 (around 1300) contains an early description of a system of combat with buckler and sword.