Warrior Ancient and Medieval Rules

I was getting ready to paint up some 15th century knights and heavy
cavalry, but was wondering about shields for them. Of course I want
to count them as shielded, which the list I'm using allows. The
figures I purchased came without shields though - of course this is
probably reasonable, since plate armored 15th knights didn't actually
use shields, due to the quality of their armor. Armor technology had
advanced to the point that against typical missile weapons, a shield
was considered superfluous.

So, my question is, would it be considered acceptable to field the
figures without shields, but to count them as shielded due to their
armor quality? (If this is the case though, shouldn't a plate armored
knight be considered shielded regardless of which direction that
missile fire is coming from?)

Lastly, would 15th century heavy cavalry (i.e hobilars) have carried
shields, and if so, what type of shield would they have used? And
where would be a good place to get hold of some?

[joncleaves]

Armor technology had
advanced to the point that against typical missile weapons, a shield
was considered superfluous.>>
[
Alas, you are often shot at with those pesky atypical missile weapons... worse,
the enemy gets to vote on what type of missiles he shoots at you...lol

<<So, my question is, would it be considered acceptable to field the
figures without shields, but to count them as shielded due to their
armor quality?>>

Yes, as long as you paid for them.

Jon