hráka

Hráka is a term that appears in the Icelandic sagas and refers to a type of shield. Its exact form and construction are not definitively known, but it is generally understood to have been a relatively simple, round shield made of wood. Evidence suggests it was often covered with leather and sometimes reinforced with metal at the boss, the central part of the shield. The size of a hráka would likely have varied, but it was probably intended for personal defense rather than as part of a large, organized shield wall. The term is sometimes contrasted with other types of shields mentioned in the sagas, such as the 'skjöldr', which might have been larger or more elaborately constructed. The use of a hráka would have been typical of the weaponry available to warriors in early medieval Iceland and Scandinavia, contributing to the defensive capabilities of individuals in combat. Its presence in the sagas provides a glimpse into the material culture and martial practices of the time.