If you start a new game, run over to George's shop and steal a shield, can you equip it? I think you might need to boost your strength with
iZakaroN's SaveEditor (or from
Kiya's site, with description), since the shield he has in the shop has a strength requirement. IIRC I bought a cheap small shield from him (or looted one from elsewhere) until I could equip the stolen large shield.
