Berlin Buckler Bouts, Posture, Courses & Excursions Brave Berlin Bucklerists, May 2025 Hello fellow buckler fighters, researchers, and enthusiasts, Last weekend marked the 23rd Berlin Buckler Bouts, with participants joining us from Canada, the US, Poland, and Germany. As usual, I particularly enjoyed the Sunday session, when I could focus on addressing issues in my fencing that had become apparent during Saturday’s bouts—a sentiment I shared with many other participants. Fencing Ewan...
19 days ago • 3 min read
The Guild in the Gatehouse The hooded men! Hello fellow HEMA practitioners, I’ve just uploaded a folder of photos I took at the recent Fechtschule 2025, hosted by the Hallebardiers in Bruges. You can download it here. Feel free to share the images as you please. It was a fantastic event—great fencing, excellent spirit, and outstanding hospitality. I thoroughly enjoyed it. The current Cross Gate was constructed in 1400. The Hallebardiers undoubtedly have the coolest guild house imaginable....
about 1 month ago • 2 min read
Nunance in Sword Design and in Combat Hello sword enthusiasts, I’ve been invited to talk swords with host Gabriele Damiano on his YouTube channel Rapier’s Delight. Join us for a two-hour deep dive into sword studies, exploring—amongst other topics—the design and ergonomics of bladed weapons from prehistory to the Renaissance, and what they reveal about their use in combat. Join in here! See you tomorrow! Yours in arms, Roland P. S. Don't forget to claim your 25% discount on the...
about 1 month ago • 1 min read
Fechtschule 2025 My favourite case! Dear fellow sword enthusiasts, HEMA practitioners, and living history aficionados, I'm all packed and ready to travel to Bruges with my friends and fellow instructors/researchers Dierk Hagedorn and Cornelius Berthold. We’re very much looking forward to spending a few formidable days at Fechtschule 2025, organised by Sint-Michielsgilde de Hallebardiers. To mark the occasion, Cornelius and I have prepared a special offer: You can now enjoy 25% off our...
about 2 months ago • 2 min read
Come to Schleswig and Delve into History! Schloss Gottorf (Photo: Landesmuseen Schleswig-Holstein) Hello history aficionados and valiant Vikings, Today, I’d like to draw your attention to two exciting new exhibitions that have just opened—and that you definitely won’t want to miss. Conveniently, both are presented at the Archaeological State Museum Schloss Gottorf in Schleswig. Bring enough silver to the Haithabu spring market! (Photo: Lars Franzen) And if that only deepens your craving for...
2 months ago • 2 min read
A New Method for Making Wooden Scabbard Cores Learn how to make scabbard half-shells like this one Hello fellow living history & sword enthusisasts, Over the years, I have made some twenty sword scabbards. When making a scabbard, creating the wooden core is often the most challenging part. I’ve previously experimented with—and shared—various methods, such as carving (which is very time-consuming and requires considerable skill), or constructing a scabbard half from two thin boards glued...
3 months ago • 2 min read
Would you like these event formats to continue? Hedeby Bouts, April 2024 Dear living history enthusiast and fellow sword-and-shield fighter, Your opinion is needed. But first, please accept my apologies for sending yet another email this week. You’ve already received messages about the launch of our latest online course—necessary, of course, to make a living. Now, I find myself writing to you again—this time about something that ought to be all about enthusiasm and community: our training...
3 months ago • 2 min read
Events at Hedeby, Bruges, and Berlin Living & training at the Hedeby Bouts in April 2024 Dear sword-and-shield fighters and medieval arms aficionados, Time is flying! If you’re planning to join us at the Hedeby Bouts (12–13 April), fence shield fighters from Poland, the UK, the US, and Germany at the Berlin Buckler Bouts (24–25 May), or attend our classes at Fechtschule Bruges 2025 (1–4 May), now is the time to sign up. These events are driven by the passion and commitment of their...
3 months ago • 1 min read
Final Day to Save 40% on the New I.33 Course Learn to apply obsessiones to safely enter a fight Dear Fellow Sword Fighter, If you want to: Unlock 700-year-old martial concepts & sword fighting technique Understand the merits and limitations of attacking with cuts Master measure and timing Train with clear, precise instructions Apply core martial concepts to your fencing Deepen your understanding of martial legacy & lineage across European sword arts Prevail against left-handers as well as...
3 months ago • 1 min read