Shields Collection

Coats of Arms for Colleges of Cambridge University. Date: circa 1910

Ancient Roman costume from the time of the late Roman Republic -- warriors, legionnaires (infantry soldiers), a cavalryman, a centurion, an emperor in purple (red), an ensign bearer

The Shield of Achilles, used in his battle with Hector. Scenes include the earth, sky and sea, the sun, the moon and the constellations, two beautiful cities full of people, a field being ploughed

Natal Native Contingent (NCC) armed with assegais
Photograph of members of the Natal Native Contingent (NCC) armed with assegais (short spears) and shields, 1879 (c). The NNC was formed in 1878 to bolster the defences of the British colony of Natal

Advert, Richard Irvin & Sons, Aberdeen, Scotland
Advert, Richard Irvin & Sons, Steam Fishing Vessel Owners, Licensed Auctioneers and Fish Salesmen, Aberdeen, Scotland. 1905

The famous St Hilda Colliery Band, South Shields, Tyne and Wear, England - World Champions in 1912, 1920, 1921 and 1924. Date: 1924

The Queens College, Oxford (colour photo)
3104386 The Queens College, Oxford (colour photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Queens College, Oxford)

Coats of Arms for Schools and Colleges, including Oxford and Cambridge, public schools and grammar schools. Date: circa 1910

Arms of the Cambridge University Colleges (colour litho)
3104472 Arms of the Cambridge University Colleges (colour litho) by English School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Arms of the Cambridge University Colleges)

Lieutenants Melvill and Coghill (24th Regiment) Dying to Save the Queens Colours, 1900. From " South Africa and the Transvaal War, Vol. I", by Louis Creswicke. [T. C. & E. C

Ark Royal - Elizabethan Naval ship
Built by Raleigh, and named the Ark Raleigh, purchased by Elizabeth and renamed Ark Royal (and subsequently Anne Royal Date: 1587

Affray of rival Aboriginal tribes, three miles from Brisbane in New South Wales, Australia. The Illustrated London News notes with undisguised disgust

Arms of the Principal Colleges of Cambridge University
The Coats of Arms of the Principal Colleges of Cambridge University circa 1910s

World War One Celebrations, Wallsend, Northumberland
World War One Celebrations, Wallsend, North Shields, near Newcastle, Northumberland, England. The end of World War One - on the setts is chalked LANDLORD NO RENT MONDAY Date: 1910s

Colchester, Essex - High Street and Town Hall. Date: circa 1905

Abyssinian Warriors - Ethiopia Date: circa 1930s

They Crashed into the Persian Army with Tremendous Force
STC306476 They Crashed into the Persian Army with Tremendous Force, illustration from The Story of Greece by Mary Macgregor, 1st edition, 1913 (colour print) by Crane

Coats Of Arms Of The Major Yorkshire Towns. From Picturesque History Of Yorkshire, Published C. 1900
Coats Of Arms Of The Major Yorkshire Towns. From Picturesque History Of Yorkshire, Published C.1900

Ella Shields, WW1 entertainment
Ella Shields (1879-1952) music hall entertainer and male impersonator, most famous as Burlington Bertie from Bow dressed up as both a soldier and a sailor during the First World War. Date: 1917

Ocean Road, South Shields, Tyne and Wear circa 1900

Sands and Pier, South Shields, Tyne and Wear. circa 1900

The 93rd Highlanders entering the breach at the storming of the Secundrabagh, Lucknow
NAM310664 The 93rd Highlanders entering the breach at the storming of the Secundrabagh, Lucknow, 16th November 1857 (w/c) by Norie, Orlando (1832-1901); National Army Museum

Littlehaven Bay And Herd Groyne Lighthouse; South Shields, Tyne And Wear, England

Belgium Indepence - Patriotic Postcard
The first 80 years of Belgian Indepence (1831-1911) celebrated in this patriotic postcard featuring the King and other Royal family members past and present plus technological advances

Lion hunt (litho)
8646520 Lion hunt (litho) by Wood, Stanley L. (1866-1928) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: Lion hunt. Illustration for The Sports of the World edited by F G Aflalo (Cassell)

The faithful dog endeavoured to shield his master's son from the fiery hail (colour litho)
8644936 The faithful dog endeavoured to shield his master's son from the fiery hail (colour litho) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

Roman armour (engraving)
8635802 Roman armour (engraving) by German School, (19th century) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: Roman armour. Illustration from Rom)

Ancient Greek sports (engraving)
8635021 Ancient Greek sports (engraving) by German School, (19th century) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: Ancient Greek sports. Illustration from Hellas)

Ancient Greek Female Costume (litho)
8637128 Ancient Greek Female Costume (litho) by Smith, John Moyr (1839-1912); Private Collection; (add.info.: Athene. The peplos and diploidion)

Military reenactments at the Tidworth Tattoo, Wiltshire (b/w photo)
8635465 Military reenactments at the Tidworth Tattoo, Wiltshire (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Military reenactments at the Tidworth Tattoo)

Battle between Danes and Saxons (engraving)
8631975 Battle between Danes and Saxons (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Battle between Danes and Saxons. Illustration for England's Pioneers)

Belgae man buying a mirror from Phoenician traders (litho)
8673164 Belgae man buying a mirror from Phoenician traders (litho) by English School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

Christmas Day Gifts Certificate, 1915 (colour litho)
8673081 Christmas Day Gifts Certificate, 1915 (colour litho) by English School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Christmas Day Gifts Certificate, 1915)

Rudolf I of Habsburg, King of Germany (engraving)
8672985 Rudolf I of Habsburg, King of Germany (engraving) by Swiss School, (19th Century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Rudolf I of Habsburg (1218-1291), King of Germany

Perseus and Medusa (engraving)
8672602 Perseus and Medusa (engraving) by English School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Perseus and Medusa. From Greek mythology)

Merrie England: Painting shields and surcoats (litho)
8642416 Merrie England: Painting shields and surcoats (litho) by Pearse, Alfred (19th Century) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: Painting shields and surcoats)

Cover illustration and advert for the book, Banks' Views of Scottish Scenery (litho)
8677305 Cover illustration and advert for the book, Banks' Views of Scottish Scenery (litho) by Scottish School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

The Battle of the Frogs and Mice (chromolitho)
8664000 The Battle of the Frogs and Mice (chromolitho) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Battle of the Frogs and Mice)

Hoplites, soldiers of ancient Greece (engraving)
8635026 Hoplites, soldiers of ancient Greece (engraving) by German School, (19th century) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: Hoplites, soldiers of ancient Greece. Illustration from Hellas)

Diomedes protected by Athena (engraving)
8634985 Diomedes protected by Athena (engraving) by Loeffler, Ludwig (1819-1876) ; Private Collection; (add.info.: Diomedes protected by Athena. Illustration from Hellas)

Don Quixote de la Mancha the ingenious knight, 19th century (illustration)
8822168 Don Quixote de la Mancha the ingenious knight, 19th century (illustration) by Roux, George (1853-1929); Private Collection; (add.info)

A Norman ship
3253019 A Norman ship; (add.info.: A Norman ship. From Enciclopedia Ilustrada Segui, published c. 1900).

Roman soldiers making a Tortoise with their shields strong enough for chariots to drive over
533946 Roman soldiers making a Tortoise with their shields strong enough for chariots to drive over. Reconstruction from Justus Lipsius Poliorceticon sive de Machinis Tormentis Telis, Antwerp 1605

Iberian, Celt and Moors (colour litho)
8672874 Iberian, Celt and Moors (colour litho) by Gameiro, Alfredo Roque (1864-1935); Private Collection; (add.info.: Peoples of ancient and medieval Portugal: Iberian, Celt and Moors)

Ancient Greek helmets, headgear and weapons (engraving)
8635049 Ancient Greek helmets, headgear and weapons (engraving) by German School, (19th century) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: Ancient Greek helmets, headgear and weapons)

Salii, ancient Roman priesthood (engraving)
8635805 Salii, ancient Roman priesthood (engraving) by German School, (19th century) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: Salii, ancient Roman priesthood. Illustration from Rom)

Britannia (coloured photo)
8635387 Britannia (coloured photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Britannia. Postcard, early 20th century.); © Look and Learn.

Ancient Greek weapons and armour (engraving)
8635037 Ancient Greek weapons and armour (engraving) by German School, (19th century) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: Ancient Greek weapons and armour. Illustration from Hellas)

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Shields have been an integral part of human history, serving various purposes throughout the ages. In ancient Roman costume, they were not only a means of protection but also a symbol of power and authority. The Shield of Achilles, renowned for its impenetrable strength, played a crucial role in his legendary battle with Hector. Moving forward in time, we find ourselves at Queens College, Oxford. A vibrant color photo captures the essence of this prestigious institution adorned with coats of arms representing its rich heritage. Similarly, the Natal Native Contingent armed with assegais showcases how shields evolved to suit different cultures and regions. An advert from Richard Irvin & Sons in Aberdeen takes us to Scotland where they were used by industries like mining and shipbuilding for safety and protection. The famous St Hilda Colliery Band proudly displays their musical prowess while donning uniforms adorned with emblems reminiscent of ancient times. Cambridge University's colleges boast their own unique coats of arms that represent their individual identities within the larger academic community. These intricate designs reflect tradition and heraldry associated with each college's history. The sacrifice made by Lieutenants Melvill and Coghill during the Anglo-Zulu War highlights another facet of shield symbolism - loyalty to one's country or cause even at great personal cost. Their bravery is immortalized as they valiantly fought to save Queen's Colors against overwhelming odds. Stepping into maritime history brings us aboard Ark Royal, an Elizabethan naval ship known for its formidable defense capabilities. This vessel exemplifies how shields extended beyond land warfare into naval battles on treacherous seas. One cannot forget the awe-inspiring clash between Persian armies and warriors who crashed into them with tremendous force using their shields as both weapon and armor. This display demonstrates how these protective tools became offensive weapons when wielded skillfully. Finally, Ocean Road in South Shields provides a modern-day glimpse into how namesake cities honor their historical significance.