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.
Viking Age Scabbard Suspension & Event Dates 2024
Sword Belt or Scabbard Laces?
Hello sword enthusiasts and scabbard aficionados.
At the recent Berlin Buckler Bouts, fellow re-enactor and swordsman Alexander Martzok proudly presented this wonderful new scabbard for his Viking sword. Very elegant, based on finds, consisting of a snugfit wooden core lined with wool, covered with linen, and vegetable tanned leathers dyed with birch and walnut, decorated with brass pins.
This is an excellent example for a carefully reconstructed Viking scabbard.
The scabbard is based on finds from Hedeby. It was custom-made by Tom Jersø who brought it to the BBB to present it to its new owner, Alexander.
Alexander in turn was the one who originally stirred the reproduction of the sword's fittings which I had examined and documented some years ago, and which were masterly reproduced by Alban Depper of Northan Viking Silver. The blade and final sword montage is by Atelier Thibaud, Forgerons d'épées. So here you see the result of mutual collaboration and expertise in various fields, all coming together to create something beautiful.
I provide a free PDF documenting the research into the original sword fragments and their reconstruction.
| Find the free PDF here! |
Now Alexander has to choose an appropriate way to suspend his wonderful new scabbard. In this respect it is noteworthy that period depictions occasionally show scabbards carried in the hand like in the examples below.
There is no apparent sword belt attached to or slung around the scabbards. However, the right one features a pair of straps.
Tom and I discussed options. Considering that strap-slides such as the one on Alexander's new scabbard sported very narrow openings, and because of additional iconographic evidence, I think that in addition to actual purpose-made sword belts (like this reconstruction of a Carolingian set), many scabbards were simply laced to a waist belt by means of straps in the Early Middle Ages. It is interesting to note that in his book “A Cultural History of the Medieval Sword” Rob Jones writes that sword belts gained special meaning by the High Middle Ages. At this point, strap-slides had indeed been abandoned.
In case you would like to try out lacing your early medieval scabbard to your belt, I provide sketches of some hypothetical methods, and I have also compiled period imagery for you in a respective public post.
| Read post & see more images |
I am looking forward to seeing Alexander wearing his new scabbard at the Hedeby Bouts next year. The spring edition is scheduled for 19–21 April 2024, the autumn one for 20–22 September 2024. See you in the Viking Age.
Berlin Buckler Bouts XXI
Mark your calendars: The 21st edition of the BBB is scheduled for 25/26 May 2024. If you want your name to be added to the invitational list, feel free to reply to this newsletter.
This past weekend, some 40 sword & shield fighters from Alaska, Poland, France, Denmark and Germany joined for thousands of sparring passes over the course of a devoted and cheerful weekend. Thanks to all attendees, it was a pleasure fencing and celebrating with you.
The marks and bruises on my body received last weekend remind me to train harder, and fence more precisely. You are invited to join me, and if you wish to follow Cornelius' and my instructions and advice as presented in our online course, then now is a good time. You can still get 40% off the standard price until Sunday this week. Take a look, read testimonials, and watch free previews on the sales page:
| Go to buckler online course! |
So, that's it for today. Take care, and keep your blade well-honed.
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Yours,
Roland
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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....