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.
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...
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....
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...