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.
Illustration: Hamburg’s Impressive 11th-Century Castle Reconstructed
An Expanded View into the PastHello fellow medieval history fans, I created the original version of this illustration for an exhibition at the Archäologisches Museum Hamburg in 2021. It depicts Hamburg's new fortification, the novum castrum (the new castle), on the River Alster sometime after its completion in 1023. I have now expanded and enhanced the illustration to better fit my book's layout. To make the scene feel more alive, I added some details: A new guard looks west over the ramparts on the earthwork. The massive structure incorporates elements of a dyke and a defence wall. A horseman gallops out of the gate. Is he a messenger? Meanwhile, a soldier with a kite shield on his shoulder climbs the stairs (confirmed for the opposing harbour gate during the 2020 excavation campaign) to patrol along the pathway on the earthwork. Some water birds are sitting on the river's swampy north bank. For a higher resolution, go to my public post and click the title image. On my Patreon, I provide many other posts on Hamburg's medieval past. Many articles are public, and of course, they all come with numerous images.
Still a Good Time…...to acquire our I.33 online course. The midsummer sale is still on, and you still have a couple of months to get familiar with the material, and start training before the next course comes out. It will build on course 1, and our online students will get the best deal!
Remember that you are welcome to pay in 10 monthly instalments of only $30. Same overall price. So don’t wait, get it now, and start training with us today! 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....