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.
AI for Illustrations, Fighting at Ribe + Original Viking Miniature Weapons
AI, Combat Training & Martial Dress AccessoriesHello fellow history geeks and martial artists. This newsletter's title sounds somewhat confusing, doesn't it? But when you read on, it will all make sense. Let us start with an image that will feature in my up-coming book. I created the original version of the above illustration last year. It depicts hunter-gatherers sneaking up on reindeer in northern Germany about 10,000 years ago. However, I needed to expand the image to better fit my book’s layout. I used new built-in AI-assisted features in Photoshop to complement the image. I describe how I did this in an according post, and I also explain how ChatGPT has become a useful tool for me.
Train with me in Ribe in October!I am delighted to announce that the Ribe VikingeCenter will host a four-day training event from the 17th to the 20th of October 2024 (week 42, a Danish national holiday). This event follows a format that has been successfully established in Hedeby and Trelleborg in previous years, and you have the opportunity to be part of it.
Free Paper on Viking Martial Dress AccessoriesWhile full-size weapons only appear in few female Viking Age burials, miniature weapons and other symbols of the martial sphere were widely integrated into the female attire. In contrast to the long-prevailing opinion of a strict division between the sphere of women and the sphere of weapons and warfare in Viking Age Scandinavia, Leszek Gardeła and Matthias S. Toplak (director of the Wikingermuseum Haithabu) reveal a much more nuanced picture.
So, that's it for today. Take care, and keep your blade well-honed. If you enjoyed this newsletter, please recommend it to your friends. They can sign up here or on my website. Or simply forward them this email. To learn to fight, consult our sword & buckler online course. 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. Yours, Roland 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.
AI and Historical Accuracy: A Mismatch Detail of Hamburg's Alster fortification in the early 11th century Hello, fellow medieval military history enthusiasts, Recently, one of my illustrations of Hamburg’s 11th-century fortifications went viral on Facebook. A follower kindly commented: “AI has nothing on you, sir.” I was delighted by this enthusiastic response—and he is absolutely right. Generative AI cannot create historically accurate images of pre-modern eras. This is because AI is trained...
Armour, Helmets, Sword & Shield Late medieval church in Neckarsteinach, built 1481–1483 Dear fellow sword fighters, scholars, and history enthusiasts, I hope you had a wonderful festive season and a great start to 2025. Over the Christmas holiday, I used a family trip as an opportunity to visit an enchanting medieval church in Neckarsteinach. This picturesque city is situated on the banks of the Neckar River, marking the border between Hessen and Baden-Württemberg. The surrounding slopes and...
Limited Offer: The Foundational I.33 Online Course Dear Fellow Sword Fighter, Start the new year by stepping into the fascinating world of medieval single combat! Our foundational online course, The Medieval Art of Fighting with Sword & Buckler, offers you a comprehensive introduction to the 14th-century fighting system outlined in MS I.33. With over 60 videos and 5.5 hours of detailed instruction, this course covers everything from tactics and footwork to blade binds and striking mechanics....