Armory Replicas Viking Norse Warfare Gokstad Wooden Shield, 30"Armory Replicas Viking Norse Warfare Gokstad Wooden Shield Overall Length: 30 Inches Overall Width: 30 Inches Umbo: 14 Gauges, 9 x 9 Border: 18 Gauge Material: Wood, Steel Shields were the most common means of defense for the Vikings. They were commonly used in shield walls, shield forts, and on Viking ships. Gokstad ships had places for shields to be hung on its railing and the Gokstad shields had holes along the rim for fastening some sort of non