History Main / KnightlySwordAndShield

Often called "Sword and Board" by tabletop game groups. Compare this trope with SwordShieldContrast, which discusses the competing connotations of the two items. Also see ChoiceOfTwoWeapons, which covers other dual-equipment setups.

* ''Fanfic/TheMountainAndTheWolf'': The Wolf carries a number of swords on his person, and carries a massive runic shield. [[spoiler:It's not immune to a ballista bolt though.]]

* The Gladiators and Paladins of ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyXIV'' use Swords and shields. The latter having roots in a group of knights sworn to defend the sultana of Ul'dah.
* Tidus from ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyX'' is a variant who uses a {{BFS}} (that he wields [[OneHandedZweihander one-handed]]) and a buckler, and at first doesn't fit the associated personality type, though he is one of Yuna's guardians. However, over the course of the story, he grows into a selfless hero.
* ''VideoGame/DissidiaFinalFantasy'': The Warrior of Light, a knight-classic favor, carries a shield and sword into battle. He's notably the only sword-focused character in the game to use a shield. ''[[VideoGame/DissidiaFinalFantasy2015 Dissidia NT]]'' also added Kam'lanaut, a villainous Archduke from ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyXI'', his use of a shield alongside his sword feeding into his noble image.

** Jaune Arc makes use of a simple arming sword and collapsible heater shield which is a [[BoringButPractical stark contrast]] to the other characters' {{Impossibly Cool|Weapon}} {{Mix and Match Weapon}}s. It puts a twist on the shield-as-sheath gimmick as the shield's collapsed form makes it into a scabbard. This is also weaponized into a BifurcatedWeapon in later volumes, as a means to give the sword [[{{BFS}} a larger and heftier blade]]. The sword itself is named "Crocea Mors"[[note]]Which is Latin for "Yellow Death"[[/note]] and is said to have come from one of his ancestors.

* Franchise/WonderWoman uses a sword and shield. She is also one of DC's most well known paragons of justice.

* When [[Myth/ClassicalMythology Perseus]] went on a quest to kill Medusa in order to save his mother from [[AndNowYouMustMarryMe being forced to marry a slimy king]], he was gifted a razor sharp sword and a polished shield that was reflective enough to allow the hero to behead Medusa without directly looking at her, avoiding her DeadlyGaze.

*** Loghain Mac Tir is similarly trained in these talents, [[spoiler:and ultimately serves a replacement for Alistair in the party if you should choose to spare his life]]. He is one of Ferelden's [[TheStrategist most skilled generals]], and appointed as one of Ferelden's only two teyrns, making him a commoner raised to nobility. Far less heroic than Alistair, [[spoiler:he makes numerous morally questionable choices, sells elves into slavery in order to evacuate them and fund the army, and ultimately hunts down the Grey Wardens in an effort to blame his retreat at Ostagar on them]]. Nevertheless, he is a man of honour, and willing to sacrifice his life for his duty at the end of the game if spared.

** Blackwall in ''VideoGame/DragonAgeInquisition'' is a Champion specialization and also fights with sword and shield as well. He's also someone who has dedicated his life to helping others and protecting the weak [[spoiler: because he's not the real Blackwall. He's someone whose life was saved by the real Blackwall and is trying to [[TheAtoner make up for his past crimes]].]]

*** Cullen usually functions as an advisor during ''Inquisition''. However, there are a few times during the game when he takes an active role in the fighting, and whenever he does, he uses a sword and shield. The Iron Bull may comment, in dialogue with the Herald, that he could identify Cullen as a former Templar because of the specific way he holds his shield. Similarly to [[spoiler:Blackwall]], he is working to atone for prior misdeeds from his Templar days, and considers protecting those weaker than himself and guiding those of lower rank to be an intrinsic part of this.

** Aegislash is a sword-and-shield Pokémon, and can switch whether its offensive sword or defensive shield half is more prominent. It's Pokédex entry characterizes the species as loyal servants of kings.

* In ''VideoGame/DiabloII'', the Paladin (a classical religious warrior clad in full armour) is a defensive fighter with several useful skills requiring both a one-handed weapon and a shield. Though the example is a bit downplayed in the game: although the character can wield swords, his optimal weapon of choice is actually a scepter (a series of mace-class weapons which grants special bonus to Paladin's wielder).
* In ''Videogame/PhantasyCalradia'', the starting gear of a Paladin player character is a bastard sword and a shield, but nothing prevents to eventually build a two-handed weapon/polearm based Paladin.
* In every game of the ''VideoGame/MonsterHunter'' series, the player can choose a combination of a short sword (compared to the usual BFS) and a shield. While less defensively capable than the Lance and Gunlance, it can still block some attacks, and is the only weapon that can use items while drawn; coupled with Wide-Range, they serve the same 'paladin' role as an actual RPG. The fourth generation added the Charge Blade, a larger version of it that stores energy with it's sword strikes, which can then be either transferred to the shield for added defense, or both can be combined into a [[{{BFS}} massive]] axe and the energy used for [[ChargedAttack powerful attacks]].

* ''VideoGame/TheHauntedRuins'': The [[DemBones Skeletons]] on the fourth section, and the Ghost Knights on the sixth, are shown fighting with swords and shields.

* In ''VideoGame/{{Warframe}}'', Swords and Shields are one type of melee weapon and are most closely associated with [[ThePaladin Oberon]]. Silva & Aegis Prime even feature angelic motifs to match. Subverted with [[MadScientist Tyl Regor]], who has his own custom made sword and shield, Ack & Brunt.

* A common build in all three ''VideoGame/DarkSouls''-games, both among players and {{NPC}}s. A notable example is Artorias of the Abyss in his prime, although he gave up his shield to protect the young wolf Sif after his arm broke and he couldn't bear the burden. In ''III'', Crestfallen Hawkwood uses this weapon type, though, ironically, it caused him to be kicked out of the Abyss Watchers, who style themselves after Artorias, since they saw it as cowardly.

** Jaune Arc makes use of a simple arming sword and collapsible heater shield which is a [[BoringButPractical stark contrast]] to the other characters' {{Impossibly Cool|Weapon}} {{Mix and Match Weapon}}s. It puts a twist on the shield-as-sheath gimmick as the shield's collapsed form makes it into a scabbard. This is also weaponized into a BifurcatedWeapon in later volumes, as a means to give the sword [[{{BFS}} a larger and heftier blade]]. The sword itself is named "Crocea Mors"[[note]]Which is latin for "Yellow Death"[[/note]] and is said to have come from one of his ancestors.
** TheAce and Jaune's teammate/love interest, Pyrrha Nikos, is armed with Miló and Akoúo̱. Miló is capable of transitioning between three forms: a javelin, a Xiphos[[note]]An ancient Greek straight shortsword[[/note]] and a rifle; Akoúo̱ is a round shield. [[spoiler:After Miló is destroyed during Pyrrha's death at Cinder's hands, Jaune uses the remaining parts of her weapons and armor to upgrade his own]].

** ''VideoGame/PokemonSwordAndShield'' is set in the Poke-equivalent of England, which has a history of knights and heraldry. The featured OlympusMons are a sword-wielding wolf-thing and a wolf-thing with a mane like a shield.

[[quoteright:320:[[WesternAnimation/MickeyMouse https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/mickey_knight_1.png]]]]

** TheAce and Jaune's teammate/love interest, Pyrrha Nikos, is armed with Miló and Akoúo̱. Miló is capable of transitioning between three forms: [[BladeOnAStick a javelin]], a Xiphos[[note]]An ancient Greek straight shortsword[[/note]] and a rifle; Akoúo̱ is a round shield. [[spoiler:After Miló is destroyed during Pyrrha's death at Cinder's hands, Jaune uses the remaining parts of her weapons and armor to upgrade his own]].

* Ever the CombatPragmatist, the sword and shield is the preferred weapon style of the titular ''LightNovel/GoblinSlayer''.

While there may have been more spears on the battlefield prior to the Battle of Nancy in the late 1400s, the spear was more successful as a static defense, with the sword being the primary weapon for those worth more training. Afterwards, along with the Swiss introduction of the pike square, the axe, mace, and hammer were much more effective against the armor of that time. Additionally, by the time the full plate armor most people associate with the image of knighthood came about, the shield was abandoned altogether since the knight was already so well-protected by the armor [[ShieldsAreUseless that it was not worth the extra weight]]. This instead allowed the knight to use larger two-handed weapons such as the halberd or poleaxe, which were much more useful for contending with another fully-armored knight.\\
The longsword developed alongside these improvements in armor, but even then it remained a backup weapon or sidearm, with knights typically beginning the engagement either with the lance when on horseback, or with the halberd or hammer when on foot.
* While knights did not exist prior to Medieval Europe, the sword and shield pairing has been a pretty popular combination even back during the Classical Era to varying degrees. Usually however, the spear was the first weapon used, ''before'' getting to the sword and shield; however, the sword and shield pairing was used as a main weapon by the Roman Legions, usually after using up their pilum to render the enemies' shields useless (by staying stuck in them) before closing in.

** TheAce and Jaune's teammate/love interest, Pyrrha Nikos, is armed with Miló and Akoúo̱, Miló is capable of transitioning between three forms: [[BladeOnAStick a javelin]], a Xiphos[[note]]An ancient Greek straight shortsword[[/note]] and a rifle; Akoúo̱ is a round shield. [[spoiler:After Miló is destroyed during Pyrrha's death at Cinder's hands, Jaune uses the remaining parts of her weapons and armor to upgrade his own]].

** TheAce and Jaune's teammate/love interest, Pyrrha Nikos, is armed with "Miló and Akoúo̱", Miló is capable of transitioning between three forms: [[BladeOnAStick a javelin]], a Xiphos[[note]]An ancient Greek straight shortsword[[/note]] and a rifle; Akoúo̱ is a round shield. [[spoiler:After Miló is destroyed during Pyrrha's death at Cinder's hands, Jaune uses the remaining parts of her weapons and armor to upgrade his own]].

* ''WebAnimation/{{RWBY}}'' has two examples. Which curiously enough both characters are rather close.

** There's also TheAce and Jaune's teammate/love interest, Pyrrha Nikos. She was armed with "Miló and Akoúo̱", Miló was capable of transitioning between three forms: [[BladeOnAStick a javelin]], a Xiphos[[note]]An ancient Greek straight shortsword[[/note]] and a rifle; Akoúo̱ was a round shield. [[spoiler:After the Miló was destroyed and Pyrrha's death at Cinder's hands. Jaune used the remaining parts of her weapons and armor to upgrade his own]].

* While knights did not exist prior to Medieval Europe, the sword and shield pairing has been a pretty popular combination even back during the Classical Era to varying degrees. Usually however, the spear was the first weapon used, ''before'' getting to the sword and shield; however, the sword and shield pairing was used as a main weapon by the Roman Legions, usually after using up their pilum to render the enemies' shields useless before closing in.

* In ''VideoGame/InquisitorMartyr'', the Assault Crusader can equip a [[ChainsawGood chainsword]] and a Suppression Shield. He also has a JetPack to get him stuck in faster. Of course, said shield pairs equally well with a pistol...

* In every game of the ''VideoGame/MonsterHunter'' series, the player can choose a combination of a short sword (compared to the usual BFS) and a shield. While less defensively capable than the Lance and Gunlance, it can still block some attacks, and is the only weapon that can use items while drawn; coupled with Wide-Range, they serve the same 'paladin' role as an actual RPG. The fourth generation added the Charge Blade, a larger version of it that stores energy with it's sword strikes, which can then be either transferred to the shield for added defense, or both can be combined into a [[{{BFS}} massive]] [[AnAxeToGrind axe]] and the energy used for [[ChargedAttack powerful attacks]].

* Seems to be WebAnimation/JoCat's WeaponOfChoice across any game:

** [=CycloneJokerXtreme=], the SuperMode of the main protagonists from ''Series/KamenRiderDouble'', is armed with the [[https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/kamenrider/images/2/20/KRW-Prism_Bicker.png Prism Bicker]] with, as usual, the shield serving as the sword's scabbard.