The rotella, the Renaissance round shield

The rotella became popular during the Renaissance, partly due to its classical origins. Round shields were common in Greek and Roman art and remained popular in the Middle Ages as the buckler, which was developed from the Roman Roman parma. The use of the rotella gives us a clear picture of how shields worn on the forearm functioned in practice, as described in fighting manuals.

Although many Italian, and to a lesser extent Spanish, manuals mention the rotella, the shield is not often depicted. However, the images that do exist, along with mentions by Thibault, show that Northern Europe was familiar with this type of shield. Most examples concern the use of the rapier and rotella against each other. Only Marozzo and possibly Di Grassi also show how the shield can be combined with a side sword, while Marozzo also addresses the use of the rotella with a spear.

The rotella is described by Marozzo, Manciolino, and the Anonimo Bolognese. Although the shield is not the main subject, there is enough material to learn the basic principles of its use.

From the images, it is evident that the rotella is usually held with the arm fully extended, so that the shield is positioned to the side of the opponent. Only in Marozzo's work is there a technique where the front of the shield is turned towards the opponent, and this is exclusively against a spearman. In this way, a thrust from the spear can be deflected by swinging the shield aside, creating an opening for a counterattack. Against a sword, this technique does not work well, and therefore it is not discussed.

In most cases, the rotella is used passively, like a buckler: it primarily serves for defense. However, Marozzo also shows that you can "thrust or cut under the shield", possibly by holding the shield parallel to the ground with the convex side up, which would be a unique technique.

The rotella is less maneuverable than the smaller buckler, but offers more protection. It effectively blocks the main attack line, such as a diagonal edge from the right (mandritto sgualembro), but the feet remain vulnerable. A large part of the material focuses on the legs as a target, even with examples where only the legs are attacked or defended through feints and parries.

Usually, the right foot is forward, but Thibault and Mathern also show that the left foot can be used forward. Agrippa often has fighters start with the left foot forward. The sword positions generally follow Di Grassi’s s system: low, middle, and high guards, usually with the point forward. Di Grassi treats the rotella more offensively than a buckler: you can push aside both the sword and the shield of the opponent to create space for thrusts to the abdomen.

Specific techniques appear with some masters:

• Agrippa sometimes swings the shield behind the head to maintain balance during a thrust.

• Giganti bends the left arm 90 degrees, raising the shield; this better protects the head but less so the legs. The aim is to reduce arm fatigue.

• Capo Ferro emphasizes that you should continue using your sword in the same way and that a large shield can block your view. He advises executing thrusts in one motion along with a block.

• Lovino has all actions take place under the shield, at the legs, because the body is otherwise well protected.

• Thibault describes how to defeat a rotella with a sword. He shows the guards and explains that you must use angles and deception to get past the shield.

In general, the front of the rotella is used to ward off thrusts and block cuts from the right, while the flat of the shield is used to defend against cuts from the left. The shield can also be actively used to control the opponent's blows, as you would with a dagger or buckler.

Due to its size, the rotella was probably not convenient to carry everywhere, but it remained important in duels, at least until the 17th century. Ridolfo Capoferro provides some examples of using the rotella together with a rapier. This is not so surprising, as Capoferro often refers to Bolognese or similar 16th-century fighting techniques in his terminology and actions. Other masters from the 16th century who discuss the rotella include Camillo Agrippa and the Florentine master Francesco Altoni, who gives interesting advice on the use of the buckler.

There is also a centrally held version of the rotella, seen in later Italian and Spanish sources (D’Alessandro 1723, Pallavicini 1670, Ferrara 1625, Texedo 1678). This type is often held with the front facing forward. It seems that this designation only emerged after 1600, when the use of the buckler declined.