Make 2024 your sword & buckler year!


A Good Time to Start

In my opinion, medieval sword & buckler fencing is one of the most complex sword arts. Maybe the most complex sword art.

At the same time, the practice thereof is utterly rewarding in many ways. Be it by connecting with our past in a very special and physical manner, or by being completely absorbed when competing with a like-minded martial artist, sword and shield in hand.

Personally, I also like one-handed swords better than two-handed ones. A single-handed sword feels more archaic and original to me, in particular when coupled with a shield, as was the custom for millennia of military history.

If you feel the same, but you have not yet started your personal pursuit of sword & buckler play, now is a great time to do so. It is the beginning of a new year, a good moment to start developing new skills, shaping your body, and sharpen your senses. Having a clear goal in mind, and a wooden stick in hand can take us a long way before we even need an actual buckler and a sword.

Cornelius and I can show you how – so why wait any longer? You can still get our foundational I.33 sword & buckler online course for 40% off the regular price for two more days.

This special New Year’s offer runs out on Wednesday. Go for it now, and get the best value when the follow-up course comes out.


This is a friendy reminder for sword & buckler enthusiasts. If you prefer to not receive further emails or newsletters, 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.

Read more from Dimicator

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....