A kite shield was a distinct type of shield from the 10th-12th centuries. It was either a reverse tear-drop shape or later on, flat-topped. The tapering point extended down to guard a soldier's foreleg when on foot, or to guard the whole of the left hand side of a rider when fighting from horseback. It could also be slung across the back when not in use. It was one of the first shields to feature arm straps rather than a centralised grip-bar. The shield is most closely associated with the Normans, who were one of the first cultures to use it widely. The kite shield began an evolution in the development of shields, changing the popular circular shape which had been dominant in Europe since at least 500BC. The shield was phased out during the 13th-14th centuries. The shield can be seen throughout the Bayeux Tapestry. Statue showing a Gallic shield with a butterfly boss. ... The Normans (adapted from the name Northmen or Norsemen) were a mixture of the indigenous people of France and the Viking invaders under the leadership of Hrolf Ganger, who adopted the French name Rollo and swore allegiance to the king of France (Charles the Simple). ... The Bayeux Tapestry (French: Tapisserie de Bayeux) is a 50 cm by 70 m (20in by 230ft) long embroidered cloth which depicts scenes commemorating the Battle of Hastings in 1066, with annotations in Latin. ...