Even in modern times, troops that were actually targetiers are often casually described as sword-and-buckler men, as opposed to sword-and-target men. Part of the confusion is that period sources are, as always, inconsistent in their use of the terms "target" and "buckler" some, like George Silver, use what has become the modern distinction, while others do not. The term you are thinking of is rodela (the shield), as opposed to rodelero (the "shield bearer"), and yes, it is, specifically, a target that is worn on the arm, as opposed to a hand buckler. Diaz was himself a rodelero under Cortez.Īm I right in thinking that the term "sword-and-buckler men" might be a little misleading, since the "rodelero" was, in my understanding, a quite substantial medium sized round shield, as opposed to a small buckler? This differs massively from the ratio of rodeleros to other infantry types over in Europe, where a colunela from the early 16th century would have arquebusiers, pikemen, and sword-and-buckler men in a ratio of roughly 2:2:1.Ĭheck out Bernal Diaz's fascinating account about Cortez and the Aztecs ( The Conquest of New Spain).
The vast majority of Cortez's troops during all of his campaigns in the New World were rodeleros in 1520, over 1000 of his 1300 men were sword-and-buckler men, and in 1521 he had 700 rodeleros, but only 118 arquebusiers and crossbowmen. Simple crossed hilts were still seen too, but the complex types became increasingly prevalent. These hilts were actually fairly common from the late 15th century onwards. Hello John,ġ6th century Spanish sword-and-buckler men-most commonly referred to as rodeleros ("shield bearers"), though sometimes known simply as espadachins ("swordsmen")-would have used a cut-and-thrust espada with a complex hilt (finger rings, side rings, knuckle bow, and perhaps also counter-guards). Were plain cross-hilts still prevalent at this time or had knuckle bows, side rings and such become prevalent? What would Cortez's scapegraces have packed? I'd appreciate any informed opinion. Because of the buckler, it must be single-handed. I'd like to know what sort of sword a Spanish sword-and-buckler man might have been carrying, specifically in the conquistador era, ca.
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