How do you make a medieval shield out of wood?

You have to find the shape you want, know the thickness of the shield and get wood of that thickness, you can either glue the edges together with biscuits OR, use 1 by 2's, cut them 36" long, assembly them in a vertical position to make a 24" wide panel, use 2 cross (horizonal) pieces 23" long and space them 6" apart then fasten all vertical pieces to the cross pieces with screws, now use straps 2 of them,(leather, rope, webbing from an old lawn chair, etc.,) and mount to the cross pieces 1ft. apart, your forearm fits under one and you grab the other with your hand. Once everything is together know you can cut the shape you want with a Jigsaw, sand an paint your design on it. Good-Luck!