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History
The shields of the early middle ages were relatively simple affairs with painted patterns that matched the family, clan or kingdom the knight belonged to. By the high middle ages, medieval shields had incorporated Christian symbols, stylized animals and other pictures to represent the knight's life story. The shield became an important part of the knight's regalia not only for its protective value, but also to intimidate the opponent and to draw out other worthy fighters to challenge the knight in glorious combat.
Significance
Christianity had a large impact on medieval European society; the heraldry and symbols of knights reflected this. The dream Roman Emperor Constantine had of a crucifix emblazoned on the shields of his victorious army began the tradition of placing a crucifix of some kind across the shield of the knight. This symbol was also important in that it divided the shields of medieval knights so that other symbols could be placed upon the shield as well. The crucifix also made its way onto national flags in European countries such as Switzerland, Sweden, Denmark and Norway.
Function
Animals often were depicted on shields as well. Sometimes it was an animal known for its ferocity such as lions, bears or boars. Other times it was mythical creatures such as griffins or dragons. Other animals also appeared such as horses, reflecting the cultural influence or background of the knight more than him displaying horse-like qualities. The House of Welf in Germany, for instance, was particularly proud of the Westfalian steeds they bred, so their symbol became a white steed on a red background. Knights of the House of Welf would carry this symbol on their shields to symbolize who was their lord and master.
Types
Other symbols, particularly crowns and a flower-like symbol called the Fleur-de-lis. Crowns, of course, represented royalty and royal blood lines, but were also used to designate a liege king of a knight. While the king would carry a large, prominant crown on his shield, nobles who were vassals would carry smaller versions and the knights of those vassals would have very small, or less ornate, versions of the crown as well.
The fleur-de-lis, also spelled fleur-de-lys, came to represent French nobility by the end of the high middle ages; legend has it that the Merovingian king Clovis placed the symbol on his shield after seeing how to cross a river because water lilies revealed an hidden ford.
Identification
As the middle ages went on, the shield became part of the ensemble of heraldry wear donned by knights. Shields were an integral part of the "coat of arms" of a knight and remained with the knight throughout his lifetime. When he was too ill to fight or when he died, his eldest son would take up the old family coat of arms and perhaps add to it a little, especially on the shield. By the end of the middle ages, when guns and gunpowder made heavy knightly regalia useless, the shields, armor, surcoat, and helmets of knights had become intricate works of art in their own right.