I’m Roland Warzecha — professional illustrator and swordsman. The name Dimicator comes from the Latin for “sword fighter.” I share cutting-edge research into historical martial arts, focusing in particular on Viking and high medieval sword-and-shield combat. My work is carried out in collaboration with museums, fellow martial artists, and scholars around the world.
My Latest Museum Illustrations of Medieval Hamburg
Re-opened Museum in the Heart of Hamburg
Hello medieval history geeks.
A week ago I attended the re-opening of the so-called ”Bishop's Castle", a branch of the Archaeological Museum Hamburg. It houses Hamburg's oldest stone monument, the foundations of a massive medieval tower.
I contributed many illustrations to this new permanent exhibition, and finally you can see them as large-size reproductions in the museum. I am also entitled to share them with you now, so look forward to some spectacular views of 12th century Hamburg.
Something else to look forward to is the I.33 sword & buckler online course. Work on the final videos is nearing completion, and I for one am very content with the results.
The Castle Which Turned out to Be a Gate Tower
The museum “Bischofsburg” (that is Bishop's Castle) owes its name to an out-dated interpretation of the circular foundation of massive rocks discovered in the 1960s. It is these rocks that you can still see in place in the underground show room today.
Recent research results indicate that the foundation likely belonged to the northern tower of the late 12th century gate which safeguarded entry into the city via an age-old merchant route, the course of which is still identical with the modern street outside the museum.
If you want to read more (and see many additional images), take a look at my post and gallery.
| See gallery and post |
Go visit this exceptional historic site when you are in Hamburg. Absolutely worth it. The museum is situated in the Deutsche Bank building, Speersort 10. Entry is next to “Eisbrecher“ ice-cream shop. Admission is free. Opening hours are Monday to Saturday, 11.00 – 16.00.
There are a good number of further illustrations which I created. You can actually even see some of them from outside, even at night. Please send me a photo when you pass by!
To see more details of this newsletter's title image at a higher resolution now, follow the link below to my respective post.
| See Hamburg's medieval skyline |
Learning & Practicing the Right Twerhau
Cornelius and I agree that the twerhau, a horizontal stike, is a crucial blow in all shield fighting. But it is also one that is quite complex and difficult to master. Hence demonstrating and teaching its mechanics is an inevitable component of our course, and I have just added a respective 25-minute-video.
Cornelius will visit this weekend, and we can do final revisions and adjustments. So stay tuned!
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.
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’m Roland Warzecha — professional illustrator and swordsman. The name Dimicator comes from the Latin for “sword fighter.” I share cutting-edge research into historical martial arts, focusing in particular on Viking and high medieval sword-and-shield combat. My work is carried out in collaboration with museums, fellow martial artists, and scholars around the world.
Continuity in European Combat Arts? Hello fellow sword enthusiasts, researchers, and fighters, How did people actually fight in close combat 3,000 years ago—and how much of that knowledge survived into the age of the fechtbücher? Mycenaean imagery occassionally shows an overhand thrust known as oberstich in late medieval German combat treatises Recently, a viewer asked why I do not demonstrate the use of Bronze Age swords with what he called a “hammer grip” — essentially gripping the weapon...
Studying Originals, Recreating History Holding an original Bronze Age sword in your hands is always a moment of quiet astonishment. Hello archaeology aficionados, The ingenious design and ergonomics of these weapons never cease to amaze me. Thanks to the courtesy of Professor Harald Meller and Dr Jan-Heinrich Bunnefeld, I had the opportunity to examine several bronze swords at the State Museum of Prehistory in Halle, home of the world-famous Nebra Sky Disc. One of the grips that works really...
Hello fellow bucklerista, You are most welcome to sign up for an action-packed weekend of sword & buckler fencing with practitioners from all over the world. The next BBB are scheduled for the weekend of 30/31 May 2026. Find info on the event and registration here: Go to Event Post We are looking forward to fencing and celebrating international friendship with you at the Berlin Buckler Bouts. Ralf, Roland & the Twerchhau team Attendees of the 24th BBB. Get the group photo here.