I am Roland Warzecha, a professional illustrator – and a swordsman. Hence the name ‘Dimicator’ which is a Latin term meaning sword fighter. I present to you cutting-edge research into historical martial arts, and Viking & high medieval sword & shield fighting in particular. I am co-operating with museums, fellow martial artists and scholars worldwide. Renowned expert for historical arms, Dr Alfred Geibig, says: “The careful reconstruction of historical swordsmanship, impressively demonstrated by Mr. Warzecha, is a valuable supplement to archaeological insights, and clearly proves the efficiency of European swords and the sophistication of the associated historical fighting arts.” To get regular up-dates on the archaeology and history of sword & shield and how they were used, sign up for my newsletter! I would be delighted if you would join my quest.
2024 Sword & Shield Projects & Events
What to look forward to in the New Year
Hello esteemed connoisseurs of sharp blades and sturdy shields. Mark your calendars for the following events:
Berlin Buckler Bouts XXI
The 20th Berlin Buckler Bouts are scheduled for 25/26 May 2024. If you want me to add your name to the invitational list, simply hit the reply button, and let me know. You can find info on the BBB attached to this previous post:
| Info on the BBB |
Hedeby Bouts
The unique Hedeby Bouts will take place at the actual location of the historic site of the biggest Viking emporium. Join us for historical combat training and living history in an inspiring and captivating atmosphere. The spring edition is scheduled for 20/ 21 April 2024. The autumn one will take place on 21/22 September 2024.
Find general event info in my respective public post on my patreon.
| Info on the Hedeby Bouts |
New Sword & Buckler Online Course
Look forward to the follow up I.33 sword & buckler online course. Cornelius and myself are excited about starting to shoot video soon. We are delighted by the fantastic reception of our first course, and by many enthusiastic responses.
This foundational first course is continuously available, and if you have not yet taken a look at its curriculum and watched free previews, you really should:
| Take a look now! |
Sword at Hand – The Book
I am also in the process of drafting my long awaited book which will ultimately turn into a series of publications. The first volume will focus on my research results regarding historical sword hilt ergonomics. Of course the book will be full of my illustrations and exclusive sword stats. So stay tuned.
Thank you for your interest and your support this year. See you from behind a shield in 2024. I wish you a great start into the New Year which will hopefully be a more peaceful one that sees the triumphal comeback of reason and common sense!
P.S.: If you enjoyed this newsletter, please forward it to your friends. One can always sign up here or on my website.
If you wish to read more, find hundreds of related posts on my Patreon. Special thanks to all my loyal supporters on Patreon – you keep me going! And if you are not a patron yet, you are most welcome to join.
If you feel like dropping a coin into my tip jar, you can do so here. Thank you for your time and your interest.
You are receiving this newsletter because you have signed up for it, or because you have previously expressed your interest in my work and events. If you prefer to not receive further emails, you can unsubscribe below.
Dimicator
I am Roland Warzecha, a professional illustrator – and a swordsman. Hence the name ‘Dimicator’ which is a Latin term meaning sword fighter. I present to you cutting-edge research into historical martial arts, and Viking & high medieval sword & shield fighting in particular. I am co-operating with museums, fellow martial artists and scholars worldwide. Renowned expert for historical arms, Dr Alfred Geibig, says: “The careful reconstruction of historical swordsmanship, impressively demonstrated by Mr. Warzecha, is a valuable supplement to archaeological insights, and clearly proves the efficiency of European swords and the sophistication of the associated historical fighting arts.” To get regular up-dates on the archaeology and history of sword & shield and how they were used, sign up for my newsletter! I would be delighted if you would join my quest.
Drawing by Numbers: Designing a Sword Peter Johnsson when I first met him in the Sankt Annen Museum in Lübeck in 2012 Dear fellow sword enthusiasts, archaeologists, and historical martial artists, Last week, I shared the story of the rediscovery of a sword from a Late Slavic burial (here is my extensive post). Since then, a discussion between researchers Jan H. Orkiz and Peter Johnsson has yielded fascinating insights into the design of this weapon. I hope you consider these findings both...
Fencing in Autumn & Unboxing a Medieval Sword Mikkel Mønsted and Emil O'Gara will teach classes at Ribe Dear fellow sword enthusiasts, archaeologists, and historical martial artists, Autumn has arrived, which means the Ribe Bouts and the Berlin Buckler Bouts are just around the corner. Details on how to join are below. Also in today’s newsletter: the rediscovery and documentation of a mighty sword from a Late Slavic burial in the Prignitz district of Brandenburg. I hope you find it an...
More Bronze Age Battling The Tollense Valley is a 3-hours drive from where I live Dear fellow martial artists and archaeology enthusiasts, In a recent newsletter, I told you about the 3,300-year-old bronze sword from the Tollense Valley, the site of a large-scale violent conflict that took place in the Late Bronze Age. Now, an extensive TV documentary tells the story of the discovery, excavations, and research results of what some archaeologists consider the world’s oldest known battlefield....