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Great Shield of William the Conqueror

Great Shield of William the Conqueror.jpg ThumbnailsAnglo-Saxon soldiersThumbnailsAnglo-Saxon soldiersThumbnailsAnglo-Saxon soldiersThumbnailsAnglo-Saxon soldiersThumbnailsAnglo-Saxon soldiersThumbnailsAnglo-Saxon soldiers

Great Seal of King William the Conqueror : from the fine impression appended to a charter preserved at the Hotel Soubise in Paris. The charter is a grant to the Abbey of St. Denis of land at Teynton, in England. The king wears the hauberk of chain-mail over a tunic. The hemispherical helmet is surmounted by a small knob, and has laces to fasten it under the chin. The legs do not appear to have any armour : the spur has disappeared. A lance with streamer and a large kite-shield complete the warrior's equipment. The legend is + Hoc NORMANNORUM WILLELMUM ITOBCE PATRONUM sI(GNO).