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.
Gifts for Sword People, Sword Studies, and Fighting at the BBB for First-Timers
Long Blades of the 13th and 14th CenturiesHello sword enthusiasts, I’m excited to announce a new addition to my shop: a full-size illustration of an Oakeshott Type XII sword that I examined at the Deutsches Historisches Museum. This sword has a familiar shape and features the characteristic copper alloy pommel quite common with this type, which was popular during the 13th and 14th centuries. This specimen is particularly impressive, measuring 110.3 cm overall. Despite its size and pronounced blade presence, it weighs only about 1 kg (as of today). I’ve previously written about this remarkable weapon here. It’s a long, top-heavy yet agile sword, and reproductions of such weapons are woefully under-represented in the modern sword community. Historically, however, this type would have been a common choice, often paired with a buckler. As the slightly asymmetrical pommel is oriented counter-clockwise relative to the crossguard, this sword was clearly designed for right-hand use. Renowned swordsmith and researcher Peter Johnsson has conducted a geometric analysis of this weapon. Find an according post here. My full-scale drawing includes a wealth of measurements and is now available for one-time purchase here.
You can find previews and descriptions of all available items in a pinned public post on my Patreon. Upcoming Sword Examinations & PatreonCornelius and I will soon team up again to examine and document original swords housed in the storage collections of the Deutsches Historisches Museum. Special thanks go to my patrons on Patreon, whose support makes such excursions possible, as well as the publication of the resulting data. Naturally, my patrons are the first to benefit from these findings. In essence, Patreon acts as continuous crowdfunding: patrons support a creator's work, and in return, a creator occasionally shares exclusive content. My Patreon page functions much like a blog, with some material made public and other content reserved exclusively for patrons as a token of my gratitude. You can now gift Dimicator Patreon memberships to your family and friends who share a passion for swords, living history, and historical sword-fighting. If someone comes to mind who might be delighted by a membership for a month or even a year, feel free to explore the available options here.
Of course you can cancel your membership anytime. No Need to Be Nervous—A Personal ReviewEach year, I organise four sword-and-shield events: two that combine living history and martial arts training at open-air museums, and two editions of the Berlin Buckler Bouts (BBB)—one in May and one in November. The BBB’s ongoing popularity continues to thrill me. Together with my co-organisers, Ralf and the Twerchhau team, I look forward to welcoming more than 30 dedicated fencers from the US, Poland, the Czech Republic and Germany. Many are regulars at the BBB. However, we sometimes forget how it feels to attend for the first time. While veterans know this is a cheerful and inclusive event, newcomers often approach with understandable nerves. To encourage first-timers, I’m sharing Michella’s review of her inaugural experience back in 2015: “I just stumbled upon the Berlin Buckler Bouts on Facebook. I knew the others in my training group were planning to go, as they had done for years.
But they were skilled, they’d practised a lot, and they were men—confident in their abilities. I, on the other hand, was not. Still, I wrote to Roland before I could chicken out and mentioned my meagre eight months of experience in HEMA Sword and Buckler. He was very encouraging, and the next day, I bought a bus ticket.
Fast forward to the Berlin Buckler Bouts: We’d been sightseeing in Berlin the day before, and I had plenty of time to work myself up. Was I good enough? Would I get hurt? Would I get smacked in the mask? All these ‘what if’ questions ran through my mind, even during the warm-up, as I watched all the big boys.
But somehow, it went well. I had fun. It wasn’t scary at all. We weren’t giving each other blunt force trauma; we practised every movement slowly—even the stabs to the mask—and every action was rehearsed again and again. I stopped overthinking and just started to feel it. I lost some, I won some, but most importantly, that didn’t matter anymore.
I talked to the other girls; I fenced with them and with the guys. It didn’t feel special to be a girl—I was just there, like everyone else, learning a bit more than I knew before I came.
So if you’re wondering whether to attend the Berlin Buckler Bouts next time, I say do it! You can be as anonymous as you like if you don’t want to draw attention, or as outgoing as you wish if that’s your style. As Roland says, ‘It’s often the most charming swordsman who wins.’ You can be any kind of person, and you’ll still fit right in.”
I am grateful for this review, and I hope it helps. Yet to be honest, I cannot recall my words about being charming and winning. But it is certainly true that attacking with a smile does help (read more here)! If you want to join a future edition of the BBB, just let me know and respond to this email. Mark your calendars: The BBB 23 are scheduled for 24th/25th May 2025. See you in Berlin: Behind a shield during the day—and at the table in the evening! 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. Improve your skills with our sword-and-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.
When Will the Book Be Released? Making a full-size drawing of the remains of an VLBERHT blade Dear fellow researchers and martial arts enthusiasts, At the Berlin Buckler Bouts in November 2024, some of my Czech friends asked me the question I hear often: When will the long-awaited first book finally be released? I wish I had a definitive answer—alas, I don’t. The book, with the working title Sword at Hand, is indeed in progress. It will explore how culture on one hand and combat requirements...
When the Going Gets Rough … Last exit infight: I've managed to seize Emil's Dane-Axe but... “Never wrestle a wrestler!” That’s what Emil said to me after he sent me flying through the air during a practice fight at Ribe VikingeCenter this autumn—or should I say fall? Of course, he was right. Grappling should be part of any swordfighter’s repertoire. Alas, despite Cornelius’ best efforts at Dimicator Schola to improve my poor wrestling skills, I am definitely more adept at keeping my opponent...
Do Left-Handers Form a Consistent Minority Throughout History? The pommel of this type XVI sword displays a clockwise offset, optimal for left-handed use. And if so, why? These intriguing questions lie at the heart of a new research project currently being initiated by Dr. Tim Simon, a philosopher and neurobiologist from the University of Trient. The study will specifically, though not exclusively, explore the relevance of left-handedness in antagonistic and duelling contexts, where it is...