The Fencing Bridegroom Swordsmen's distinguished summer fashion Hello sword-and-buckler enthusiasts and fashion victims, My fellow buckler fighter and researcher Cornelius Berthold was married this past weekend. The occasion provided a splendid opportunity for some early-morning fencing before breakfast—and, notably, for swordplay in suits. The latter was suggested by photographer Jonas Radtke, and I’m very much looking forward to seeing the resulting images. There can be only one! In the...
17 days ago • 3 min read
Are We But Brutal Primates? Chimps make war, bonobos make love. What about us? (My illustration) Hello fellow history enthusiasts, I suspect many of you share my feeling that we are living through particularly unusual and turbulent times. While I generally make a conscious effort to maintain a positive outlook and focus on the good, I must admit this has grown increasingly difficult in recent years. Stupidity, ignorance and brutality seem all too prominent among our species at present....
about 1 month ago • 3 min read
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...
about 2 months 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 2 months 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...
2 months 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...
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...
3 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...
4 months ago • 2 min read