Delving beneath shield’s surface

A cherished 14th century shield and the Kent and Canterbury hospital are a bizarre combination you wouldn’t expect to see in the same sentence.

However, the Black Prince’s shield, one of Canterbury Cathedral’s most treasured historical artefacts, has been subject to a CT scan as experts try to answer questions about its history.

It is not yet known whether the shield was a ceremonial piece or if it had seen battle before being hung above the prince’s tomb in the Cathedral’s Trinity Chapel about 650 years ago.

Now, with the aid of a CT scanner, experts have delved deeper into the make-up of the shield.

The Cathedral’s head of conservation, Heather Newton, said: “With the scan results we will be able to carry out further research and not only get beneath the surface of the shield but also rotate and move it to carry out a more detailed examination. This would have been impossible because it’s so delicate and fragile.”

Having been above the tomb for 600 years, the shield was replaced with a replica in the 1950s in an effort to protect the original.

As well as benefitting from CT scans, it is now being readied to go on display in one of the Cathe- dral’s new exhibition spaces this summer.

Bob Woosnam-savage from the National Museum of Arms and Armour said: “It’s very, very exciting. It’s an exceptionally rare piece, and as far as we know this is the first time a medieval shield has ever been placed in a CT scanner.

“We’re trying to find out how it’s constructed and what type of wood it’s made from.

“In the past there has been con- flicting evidence. Some say it’s made from fir, and some believe it’s poplar.

“We’re also keen to find out if there is any evidence of shield straps. That may well indicate whether or not this was merely a decorative shield or if it was actually designed for use.”

More research from the results of the scan, which took place out of the hospital ward opening hours, will be carried out in the following months.